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ESPN lists biggest area of concern for Ohio State’s 2025 season
By Paul Harvey
Published:
ESPN is taking stock of the 2025 season, and the publication is ready to identify some of the major weaknesses for the year ahead.
At Ohio State, there are plenty of concerns, even for a program expected to contend for a 2nd straight national title. The Buckeyes are the frontrunner at DraftKings, coming in at +500 to win it all, and fans can check out the top offers through the DraftKings Ohio promo code.
After winning it all last season, Ohio State needs to replace a host of production, including starting quarterback, running back, multiple offensive line pieces and a litany of defensive stalwarts. So, which area is the biggest concern facing Ryan Day this year?
According to ESPN’s Jake Trotter, the biggest area of concern is at QB, where Ohio State is looking for a multi-year replacement for Will Howard. Julian Sayin, a 5-star recruit in 2024, is the likely choice, but he’s locked in a battle with Lincoln Kienholz for the gig.
Given Ohio State’s weaknesses in other areas, Trotter is looking at the new QB to step in and succeed immediately to keep the Buckeyes in contention:
Quarterback Will Howard was everything the Buckeyes could have hoped for last year in his lone season at Ohio State. He was spectacular during the College Football Playoff, posting a QBR of 97.2 over four games during the Buckeyes’ march to the national championship. With Howard now in the NFL, the Buckeyes will be turning to either former five-star freshman Julian Sayin or Lincoln Kienholz this season, pending who wins the job during camp. Throwing to all-world wideout Jeremiah Smith will bolster whomever the starting quarterback winds up being. But even with Smith and All-American safety Caleb Downs anchoring each side of the ball, it’s difficult envisioning the Buckeyes truly contending again unless Ohio State gets good-to-great quarterback play like it did last season.
The pressure is on in Columbus for the program to keep the good feelings rolling after its first national title since 2014. We’ll see if any of the QB options are able to step up and elevate their game this fall.
Paul is a lifelong fan and student of all things college football. He has been covering college football since 2017 and the B1G since 2018.