The clock has finally hit 00:00 and the Ohio State Buckeyes’ 2024-25 team is in the history books. Despite dropping what can only be described as the biggest “what in the world just happened” game against Michigan, the Buckeyes went on a run and won the program’s ninth national championship.
Ohio State got by Notre Dame with strong performances from each of its stars, just as it had all year. Similarly, the Buckeye defense was able to smother anything and everything the Irish wanted to do until the game was seemingly out of reach. For reference, Notre Dame opened the game with an 18-play, 72-yard touchdown drive that ate up 9:45. When it was all said and done, Ohio State won the time of possession battle with 32:25.
Now that the confetti has fallen and the Buckeyes are back home, the team will celebrate the win. However, the grind never stops. What’s next for the National Champions?
What’s Next for Ohio State After National Championship Win
Decisions, Decisions
Ohio State’s roster was full of NFL-bound players at just about every position. There are quite a few veterans whose eligibility is finally up who will take their talents to the NFL. However, a few Buckeyes have decisions to make. The deadline for redshirt sophomores and true juniors to declare has passed for everyone except Ohio State and Notre Dame. That day is Thursday, January 24.
Perhaps the biggest name with a decision is running back Quinshon Judkins. The former Ole Miss star transferred to Ohio State almost a full calendar year ago and had an immediate impact. On the year, Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson were a one-two punch and ended as the first pair of Buckeyes to eclipse 1,000 yards in the same season. He led the way with 194 carries for 1,060 yards and 14 touchdowns. He found paydirt three times to pave the way for the big win.
The two helped the offense become the first in history to have four 1,000-yard players, receiving or rushing, as well as 10 touchdowns. As of now, Judkins is considered a late-second, early-third-round pick within the NFL Draft circles. However, with a lessened role with the Buckeyes, he saved some tread. If he declares and tests well, Judkins could find himself in the early or mid-second round discussions in an already loaded running back class.
Potential Underclassmen Defensive Departures
Davison Igbinosun is currently projected as a third-round selection and has been a high-ceiling, low-floor cornerback opposite Denzel Burke. The second-year Buckeye had another top-tier season as a lock-down corner. However, his sticky, handsy play resulted in a handful of holding and pass interference calls. He’s shown that he has what it takes to play at a high level but those tendencies will need to be reigned in at the next level, assuming he declares.
Sonny Styles had a solid season and got better as the year went on. The safety-turned-linebacker posted a junior season with 100 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, six sacks, five pass breakups, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. The young linebacker, should he turn pro, will likely shoot up draft boards due to his athleticism and age. He doesn’t turn 21 until November!
Next Man Up at Quarterback
The Buckeyes are losing quite a bit this offseason. Now, all eyes will be on who gets to step up. No position will be scrutinized nearly as much as the quarterbacks.
As of now, the only quarterbacks set to be in the room are Lincoln Kienholz (redshirt sophomore), Julian Sayin (redshirt freshman), and Tavien St. Clair (true freshman). Will Howard is graduating and Devin Brown is off to California. Heading into that Week 1 matchup with Texas, the Buckeyes’ quarterback room has a total of 195 yards and one touchdown (Sayin) off just 34 pass attempts.
Kienholz has the most experience but none of the quarterbacks have a start. Ohio State got an extended look at Kienholz in the 2023 Cotton Bowl against Missouri. However, just like with Brown, he was not able to get anything going behind that makeshift offensive line. He is a good passer and is enough of an athlete to keep defenses honest with his legs.
The favorite is Sayin, the former five-star recruit/Alabama transfer. He was considered the top quarterback in the class and transferred to Ohio State just after signing with the Crimson Tide when Nick Saban retired. Sayin was a unanimous five-star recruit and was unstoppable in high school. Of course, playing quarterback for Ohio State is a little different than high school.
In his limited playing time, he’s looked decent throwing the ball but does he have the arm strength to get it done? He was lauded by the coaching staff as the most accurate quarterback in Spring 2024 practices. However, in the Spring Game, he threw a pick-six on an underthrown pass. Given the top-notch Ohio State strength staff, Sayin should be more physically developed by the time Week 1 rolls around.
St. Clair is a wild card. He comes to Ohio State as a five-star quarterback from Bellefontaine, Ohio. He was a massive fish in a tiny pond in high school, so there will be a learning curve.
The Road Ahead
The Buckeyes will get to savor the victory/recover from the loss for the next month or so. Then, it’s back to work in March. The roster is going to look vastly different; there is a great chance the Buckeyes only return one starter on defense. The only unit without question marks this far out is the wide receiver room that will be led by Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate.
Spring practice will be crucial to making sure the Buckeyes don’t become complacent. Complacency is the kryptonite of successful programs. Ohio State does not want to become the latest in a recent trend of National Champions falling on its face in the defending season and will work to become the second back-to-back champion since Georgia’s dominant wins in 2021 and 2022.
Next year’s schedule has just as many marquee matchups, led by that season-opener at home against Texas. The Buckeyes will also host Grambling State (FCS), Ohio, Minnesota, Penn State, UCLA, and Rutgers. Ohio State’s road slate is a tad more difficult with trips to Washington, Illinois, Wisconsin, Purdue, and Michigan.
There’s no time to rest. Day has to find a quarterback, rebuild the offensive line, and completely overhaul the defense. It won’t be easy but if there’s a program that has recruited at an elite level while hand-picking the right guys in the portal to not miss a beat, it’ll be Ohio State.
That Texas game, while not make-or-break on the season, will be a great litmus test for where the 2025 Buckeyes will be.
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