With a new roster and staff, Ohio State football starts a new chapter in the Ryan Day era.

The Ohio State Buckeyes have long been a symbol of college football excellence, and under Ryan Day, the program has entered a new era of dominance, innovation, and championship aspirations. However, as 2025 begins, the Buckeyes are on the verge of a fresh chapter—one marked by a revamped roster, new assistant coaches, and a shifting landscape of college football as a whole. With Day at the helm, Ohio State is embracing a moment of transition that offers both new opportunities and significant challenges. This moment is not just about rebuilding; it’s about retooling, refocusing, and reaffirming the Buckeyes’ place at the top of college football.

For Ohio State, the combination of a new roster and an updated coaching staff signals that the next phase of the Ryan Day era is about to take shape. With a revamped offensive scheme, fresh faces on both sides of the ball, and a program poised to maintain its national prominence, there’s much to be excited about for Buckeyes fans. But the transition also raises important questions: How will Day’s leadership continue to evolve in 2025? What can fans expect from a program in flux? And how will these changes affect the team’s pursuit of its first national championship since 2014?

This article will explore the key elements of Ohio State’s new chapter in the Ryan Day era, touching on the revamped roster, new coaching staff additions, potential breakout players, and the future direction of the program.

1. The Impact of a Revamped Roster

One of the most noticeable changes for Ohio State football in 2025 is the revamped roster. Every season brings some level of roster turnover, but the changes for the Buckeyes this year are particularly significant, particularly at key positions. The team lost some major contributors from the 2024 season, including standout wide receivers, several defensive stalwarts, and veteran leaders on both sides of the ball.

However, Ohio State has continued to recruit at an elite level under Ryan Day’s leadership, and the 2025 roster boasts a mix of returning talent and incoming recruits who will help the team reload rather than rebuild. Quarterback remains one of the most critical positions, and although Kyle McCord has been solid in his development, the team will need to solidify its quarterback depth after the departure of some key figures in the 2024 season.

The Buckeyes have recruited a new crop of quarterbacks, and while McCord is expected to remain the starter, the competition behind him is fierce. Freshmen like J.J. McCarthy, a five-star recruit with a great arm and mobility, will challenge for playing time, and the Buckeyes have also brought in talented transfer quarterbacks who could add depth to the position. How Day handles this competition will be crucial for Ohio State’s success in 2025.

At wide receiver, Ohio State has one of the most talented groups in the country. Marvin Harrison Jr., a future first-round NFL Draft pick, returns as the unquestioned leader of the group. However, with several of the team’s top receivers from 2024 departing, Day’s ability to develop and get the most out of new playmakers will be key to the offense’s continued success. Players like Emeka Egbuka and Julian Fleming, alongside incoming recruits, will be crucial in filling out the receiver rotation and providing McCord or whoever emerges at quarterback with the weapons they need.

The running back position is another area to watch. Ohio State lost a major contributor in Travion Henderson, but Day has brought in new talent to continue the program’s tradition of having a dominant backfield. Players like Miyan Williams and incoming freshman Dallan Hayden could be poised for breakout seasons. Ohio State’s running game has always been a staple of the offense, and Day will need to ensure that the next wave of running backs is up to the task.

On the defensive side of the ball, Ohio State’s strength has always been its defensive line and secondary. Despite losing some significant contributors in the 2024 season, the Buckeyes are well-stocked with high-end recruits who will step into prominent roles. The defensive line, traditionally a source of pride for the Buckeyes, will rely on a deep rotation to generate pressure. Look for players like J.T. Tuimoloau and Jack Sawyer to continue their development into elite pass rushers. The linebacker group, while inexperienced, has plenty of talent in C.J. Hicks and Steel Chambers, both of whom should step up as leaders of the defense.

The secondary is similarly strong, with a deep pool of talent at cornerback and safety. New defensive coordinator Matt Patricia, formerly of the New England Patriots, has a deep understanding of both the NFL and college football. His focus on discipline, assignment football, and player development could have a profound impact on the defense as a whole. Ohio State has always been a team that prides itself on defensive playmaking, and under Patricia, this could take on a new dimension in 2025.

2. Ryan Day’s Coaching Evolution

While Ohio State’s roster changes are significant, the true key to the Buckeyes’ success in 2025 will be the continued growth of Ryan Day as a head coach. Day has already proven himself as one of the top coaches in college football, with multiple Big Ten titles, playoff appearances, and a national championship game appearance in 2020. However, with new challenges ahead, Day’s evolution as a coach will be crucial to maintaining Ohio State’s status as one of the nation’s premier programs.

In particular, Day’s ability to balance offensive innovation with game management will be tested in 2025. The Big Ten has become a more competitive conference, with teams like Michigan, Penn State, and Wisconsin all improving rapidly. Day will need to continue to adapt his play-calling and overall strategy to outsmart those opponents while remaining true to Ohio State’s offensive identity.

Additionally, leadership will be a key factor in Day’s continued success. With several new assistants on the staff and a young, hungry roster, Day must set the tone both on and off the field. He has done a good job in the past of maintaining a balanced approach between being a mentor and a strategist, but with new personnel on board, the ability to establish a strong culture in 2025 will be one of his most important tasks. His relationship with the players, his ability to manage personalities, and his capacity to keep the team focused on their ultimate goals will be pivotal.

In particular, Day’s decision-making on the offensive side of the ball will face more scrutiny than ever. The quarterback battle, the integration of a revamped receiving corps, and the evolution of the running back group will demand precision and confidence from Day. Whether it’s adjusting the offense to suit a new quarterback or finding ways to incorporate a multi-dimensional run game, Day will need to ensure that the offense operates seamlessly, especially in high-pressure situations.

On defense, Day’s hiring of Matt Patricia as the new defensive coordinator is a significant step in solidifying the Buckeyes’ coaching staff. Patricia brings a wealth of experience from the NFL, where he worked for Bill Belichick and helped guide the Patriots’ defenses to multiple championships. While his coaching style is different from the previous defensive coordinators at Ohio State, Patricia’s leadership, discipline, and focus on fundamentals could help elevate the Buckeyes’ defense back to elite status.

3. The Impact of New Coaching Staff Members

Along with Patricia, Day has brought in several other new assistants to reshape the coaching staff. Brian Hartline, one of the top wide receiver coaches in the country, has been elevated to offensive coordinator, a move that should help maintain Ohio State’s high-octane passing game. Hartline’s ability to develop NFL-caliber receivers is one of the best in college football, and with so much young talent at the position, this will be a critical year for him to help the Buckeyes stay ahead of their competition.

Another key figure in the new coaching staff is Jim Knowles, who remains the team’s defensive coordinator after a solid 2024 campaign. Knowles brings a creative, aggressive mindset to the defense, focusing on disguised coverages and creating pressure on quarterbacks. As the Buckeyes look to improve their defensive consistency, Knowles will continue to build on the foundation of a unit that has historically thrived on the line of scrimmage.

Additionally, Day has made efforts to strengthen his recruiting operations by bringing in several high-level staff members who can connect with recruits and players on a personal level. The college football recruiting landscape continues to change with the increasing importance of the transfer portal and NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) deals, and Ohio State has responded by bolstering its behind-the-scenes operations to stay competitive. Day’s ability to adapt to these new dynamics and build a cohesive, unified coaching staff will be a key factor in Ohio State’s future success.

4. The Buckeyes’ Championship Aspirations

With a new roster, new coaching staff, and a renewed sense of purpose, Ohio State enters the 2025 season with the same goal it has every year: to win a national championship. The Buckeyes are consistently one of the most talented teams in the country, and the coaching staff is committed to keeping Ohio State in contention for the College Football Playoff every year.

The 2025 season will be crucial in determining whether Ohio State can make a return to the playoff after narrowly missing out in 2024. With Michigan continuing to be a major hurdle in the Big Ten, Ohio State will need to prove itself against the best teams

in the country. Games against Notre Dame, Penn State, and Michigan will be key tests, but with a talented roster and a rejuvenated coaching staff, the Buckeyes will be more than capable of handling the challenge.

Ohio State’s ability to execute in big moments, especially in the high-pressure games of the Big Ten Championship and the playoff, will ultimately define the team’s success. If Day and his staff can keep the Buckeyes on track and ensure that the program’s talent is maximized, Ohio State will remain a perennial contender for a national title.

5. The Future Outlook of the Ryan Day Era

As Ryan Day enters the next phase of his tenure as head coach, the trajectory of the Ohio State football program appears to be as strong as ever. With an elite roster, a reenergized coaching staff, and a fresh sense of direction, the Buckeyes are poised to continue their dominance in college football. The potential for another national championship run is undeniable, and with the leadership of Day, the Buckeyes will be at the forefront of college football for years to come.