Ohio State still needs more Buckeyes on the team to maintain dominance and depth, particularly in key positions.

Ohio State University has long been one of the most successful and dominant football programs in the country. With a rich history of championships, Heisman Trophy winners, and NFL-caliber players, the Buckeyes have set a standard for excellence in the college football world. However, despite their undeniable success, there’s always a constant push to improve, recruit, and expand the roster to meet the ever-growing demands of modern college football. Even a powerhouse like Ohio State finds itself facing challenges in maintaining dominance, especially as the competition continues to evolve at both the conference and national levels.

One of the primary reasons that Ohio State needs to continue to grow its roster is to maintain the depth necessary for sustained success. Depth across all positions is a crucial aspect of college football, particularly in high-contact positions like the offensive and defensive lines. Ohio State has historically relied on a strong, deep roster to dominate not just during the regular season, but in the grueling postseason as well. With the increasing demands of high-level competition, depth isn’t just important—it’s critical. While Ohio State has a wealth of talent on their current roster, securing more top-tier Buckeyes through recruiting and player development is the key to preserving and extending their dominance in the college football world.

The Importance of Depth in College Football

In college football, one of the most significant factors in a team’s success is its depth. Injuries, fatigue, and the physical toll of a long season mean that teams cannot rely solely on a handful of elite players. A deep roster allows for rotation and fresh legs, which can make the difference in key moments of games. Ohio State has long relied on a deep talent pool across various positions, from the quarterback position to the defensive line. For example, during their championship runs, Ohio State was able to rotate defensive linemen like Joey and Nick Bosa, Chase Young, and J.T. Tuimoloau without sacrificing performance. This level of depth allows the Buckeyes to stay competitive, even when injuries or other challenges strike.

With college football becoming more competitive every season, teams are able to recruit more effectively across the country. In the Big Ten, Ohio State has faced stiff competition from programs like Michigan, Penn State, and Wisconsin, all of whom have made significant strides in recruiting top-tier talent. Nationally, programs like Alabama, Clemson, and Georgia are pulling in highly ranked classes every year, intensifying the race for talent. To maintain its elite status, Ohio State must continue to build depth and secure top-tier talent at every position.

Offensive Line and Defensive Line Depth: The Cornerstones of Success

When it comes to building a championship-level program, few positions are more important than the offensive and defensive lines. These lines set the tone for both the offense and defense, controlling the line of scrimmage and determining whether a team can succeed on both sides of the ball.

For Ohio State, maintaining a strong and deep offensive line has been a crucial part of their success. The Buckeyes have produced countless NFL-caliber offensive linemen, and the team has always relied on a deep rotation of talented players to protect their quarterbacks and open up lanes for their running backs. With a deep offensive line, Ohio State can rotate players, ensuring that fresh bodies are available to counter the speed and strength of opposing defenses.

The defensive line, similarly, has been a cornerstone of Ohio State’s success. Historically, the Buckeyes have been known for producing some of the best pass rushers in college football. With players like Chase Young, who went on to be the second overall pick in the NFL draft, Ohio State’s defense has consistently wreaked havoc on opposing quarterbacks. Maintaining depth at this position is paramount for Ohio State’s defense, as rotating linemen ensures that they can sustain pressure throughout the game without experiencing a drop-off in performance.

With college football’s increased focus on passing offenses, defensive lines are under greater pressure than ever before to generate pressure and sacks. Quarterbacks are more mobile, offenses are faster, and teams are relying more on tempo and quick strikes. As a result, Ohio State needs to maintain depth along both the offensive and defensive lines, ensuring that they can rotate fresh players in and out of the game and continue to dominate the line of scrimmage. This not only helps with keeping players healthy but also gives Ohio State an edge over teams that may lack the same level of depth.

Quarterback and Skill Position Depth: The Need for Continued Talent

While the lines are the foundation of any football team, skill position players like the quarterback, wide receivers, and running backs also play a crucial role in a team’s success. Ohio State has been fortunate in its ability to recruit and develop elite quarterbacks. Over the past decade, the Buckeyes have had quarterbacks such as Dwayne Haskins, Justin Fields, and C.J. Stroud, all of whom became Heisman Trophy candidates and first-round NFL picks. But even with this legacy of elite quarterback play, the Buckeyes need to continue recruiting top-tier quarterbacks to ensure their offense remains potent.

The rise of mobile quarterbacks in college football has altered the way offenses operate. Quarterbacks who can both throw the ball accurately and make plays with their legs are becoming increasingly valuable. Ohio State has embraced this dual-threat quarterback model, and as they continue to recruit, they must keep pace with the competition. The addition of a strong quarterback class ensures that Ohio State can maintain its high-scoring offense year in and year out.

In addition to the quarterback position, Ohio State also needs to recruit depth at the running back and wide receiver spots. The Buckeyes’ offense relies heavily on playmakers in the backfield and at receiver, and having multiple options at each position allows for greater flexibility in offensive play-calling. Ohio State has a strong tradition of producing elite running backs, with players like Ezekiel Elliott, J.K. Dobbins, and TreVeyon Henderson leading the way. The same is true at wide receiver, where Ohio State has seen a pipeline of talent flow to the NFL, including players like Michael Thomas, Chris Olave, and Garrett Wilson.

Having depth in these positions allows Ohio State to rotate fresh talent into the game, whether it’s for strategic purposes or to accommodate for injuries and fatigue. In particular, with the increased reliance on passing offenses in college football, having a deep receiving corps gives the Buckeyes the ability to run a diverse and dynamic offense. Ohio State needs to ensure it doesn’t just recruit one or two elite receivers but that they continue to build depth in this area, giving quarterback options and preventing defenses from keying in on one player.

The National Recruiting Landscape: Staying Ahead of the Competition

To maintain their dominance, Ohio State cannot afford to rest on its laurels. The recruiting landscape in college football is as competitive as it has ever been. With the rise of programs like Alabama, Georgia, and Clemson, Ohio State has to continue to push the envelope in terms of recruiting, player development, and scouting.

Ohio State’s ability to recruit nationally has always been a strength. The Buckeyes have consistently landed top recruits from states across the country, including Texas, Florida, and California. However, recruiting nationally is becoming more difficult as schools across the country, particularly in the Southeastern Conference (SEC), continue to dominate the recruiting trail. Alabama and Georgia, in particular, have been consistently pulling in top classes, which has made the race for talent more competitive.

Moreover, the expansion of the College Football Playoff (CFP) has made it even more crucial for teams like Ohio State to stay at the top of their game. As the number of playoff spots increases, more teams have a shot at reaching the postseason, which puts pressure on Ohio State to consistently field a roster that can compete with the best of the best. The Buckeyes need to continue attracting the best talent from across the country while maintaining their focus on developing the players already on the roster.

The Role of the Coaching Staff: Developing Depth

Ohio State’s coaching staff, led by head coach Ryan Day, has been instrumental in the Buckeyes’ ability to recruit and develop talent. Day’s offensive acumen and ability to develop quarterbacks have garnered significant attention, but it’s also important to note how well the defensive staff has done in terms of developing elite defensive linemen and linebackers. The Buckeyes have consistently churned out players who are ready to make an impact on the field from day one.

As Ohio State continues to recruit, developing the talent they already have is just as important as bringing in new recruits. By ensuring that players progress and reach their full potential, the Buckeyes can maintain their dominance year after year. Ohio State has proven time and time again that its coaching staff knows how to develop players into elite talents, and that’s something that will continue to be a major asset in their pursuit of continued success.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Ohio State Football

Ohio State football’s future remains bright, but it’s crucial that the Buckeyes continue to prioritize depth. With the college football landscape constantly changing, staying ahead of the competition will require consistent recruiting, development, and maintaining a balanced roster across all positions. While the Buckeyes have a rich tradition of success, the demand for greater depth, especially in the trenches and at key skill positions, is more important than ever.

As long as Ohio State continues to recruit well, develop its players, and build upon its strong traditions, the Buckeyes will remain a force in college football. With the right mix of talent, coaching, and leadership, Ohio State is primed to continue its legacy of excellence for years to come. However, to ensure that the program remains at the top, it’s clear that the Buckeyes need more talent—more Buckeyes—to stay ahead of the pack.