Ohio State's Most Important Players for the 2025 Season
This list of important Ohio State players for the upcoming season focuses on players who need to emerge and play well for Ohio State to repeat, so players like Jeremiah Smith, Caleb Downs, and Sonny Styles who already have a name for themselves are left out of this list (Photo: Ohio State Athletics).
Even though he will be in the shadow of one the of the best linebackers in America, Arvell Reese will be a paramount player in Ohio State’s effort to be back to back National Champions. He had a role behind Sonny Styles and Cody Simon last year, but Reese is set to be a starter this year and an integral part of the defense (Photo: Ohio State Athletics).
After three years of sitting behind JT Tuimoloau and Jack Sawyer, it’s time for Kenyatta Jackson Jr. to prove that he can anchor the edges of Ohio State’s defensive line. As a high 4 star recruit in the class of 2022, Kenyatta has high expectations but not a lot of time left to prove it. The Buckeyes are relying on him heavily this year with a thin defensive end room (Photo: Ohio State Athletics).
After an up and down sophomore year, Austin Siereveld is in for a huge junior year. Recently announced as a captain, Siereveld has blown up this offseason with his recent move to left tackle. He has high expectations to live up to, though, as Ohio State’s recent run at left tackles includes Nicholas Petit-Frere, Parris Johnson Jr, Josh Simmons, and Donovan Jackson, who are all currently in the NFL (Photo: Ohio State Athletics).
Ohio State’s safeties were arguably the best defensive position group in the 2024 season with Caleb Downs and Lathan Ransom. With Lathan Ransom now sporting the Carolina blue in the NFL, Ohio State will turn to Jaylen McClain to fill his void. He’s just a sophomore, but fall camp reports say that he has looked solid alongside preseason All-American Caleb Downs (Photo: Ohio State Athletics).
Brandon Inniss has been in the shadows of players like Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Egbuka, but he now has his chance to start at WRU and live up to his 5-star recruit hype. This offseason, he proved himself off the field, earning one of the four captain spots, but now it’s time for him to show his improvement on the field. He should have plenty of chances as a result of the gravity of Jeremiah Smith and the double teams he forces (Photo: Ohio State Athletics).
Now that the four year TreVeyon Henderson era has ended at Ohio State, they will look to James Peoples to fill the huge shoes of the national champion. James may not have the game-wrecking speed of Henderson, but he is a powerful running back with a quick burst. Peoples will also have the luxury of running behind a new and improved offensive line (Photo: Ohio State Athletics).
Kayden McDonald might have the highest ceiling of anyone on this list. Last season he rotated in behind 1st round NFL draft pick Tyliek Williams, but now, the 330 lb defensive tackle is ready to make a name for himself. At a position of narrow depth, Kayden’s emergence has been very welcomed and he and Eddrick Houston are a young and exciting defensive tackle duo (Photo: Ohio State Athletics).
Davison Igbinosun was the most penalized player in college football last season. This year, he is leading the Buckeye’s cornerback room and is focusing on playing more clean. Paired with Jermaine Matthews Jr. at corner, Igbinosun can become an integral part of one of the country’s best secondaries if he can focus on diminishing penalties (Photo: Ohio State Athletics).
Even though his playing days are over, the newly promoted Brain Hartline is also a key component to the 2025 Ohio State Football team. Filling in for NFL-bound Chip Kelly as Ohio State’s offensive coordinator, Hartline needs to have a seamless transition to his new play-calling role (Photo: Ohio State Athletics).