Chris Holtmann cites need to address 'roster construction' during disastrous season for OSU

Chris Holtmann is currently mired in the worst season of his Ohio State coaching career. On Monday, he admitted a need to reevaluate how the team goes about roster construction in the changing landscape of college athletics.

“Roster construction is something we really need to look hard at, ways in which maybe we can continue to learn things in today’s ever-changing climate,” said Holtmann.

Chris Holtmann: “Roster construction is something we really need to look hard at, ways in which maybe we can continue to learn things in today’s ever-changing climate.”

— Griffin Strom (@GriffinStrom3) February 13, 2023

Holtmann’s assessment is an interesting one at this point considering Ohio State’s recruiting in the 2022 cycle. Out of the recruiting ranks, the Buckeyes pulled in the No. 8 recruiting class in the nation per the 247 Sports Team Composite Rankings.

From that recruiting class, Brice Sensabaugh is the teams leading scorer at 16.4 points per game while Bruce Thornton also played a key role for the team. Roddy Gayle Jr. and Felix Okpara are also contribuiting.

Holtmann did not solely rely on high school recruiting. The Buckeyes also landed Isaac Likekele, Sean McNeil and Tanner Holden out of the transfer portal.

Regardless of how the roster was put together, it is clear things did not work for Ohio State this season. The Buckeyes are 1-11 in their past 12 games to fall to 3-11 in league play.