COLUMBUS, Ohio — Fans are getting their first taste of Ohio State football this year as the Buckeyes are set to play in their annual spring game on Saturday.
The university estimates about 75,000 fans will get to watch the offense and defense battle it out. All eyes will be on the quarterback competition.
Kansas State transfer Will Howard is expected to get the starting nod for the regular season, but there's hype building around freshman quarterback Julian Sayin, who has reportedly looked stellar in practice. Quarterbacks Devin Brown, Lincoln Kienholz, and Air Noland are also competing.
According to a release from Ohio State, CB Lorenzo Styles, S Lathan Ransom and LB Payton Pierce are not expected to play.
Here's a full list of who is on Ohio State's roster heading into the spring game.
Who is returning to Ohio State?
There are 16 starters returning to Columbus for another season, 11 of whom were eligible to enter the 2024 NFL Draft.
Starters returning on offense:
- RB TreVeyon Henderson
- LT Josh Simmons
- LG Donovan Jackson
- OC Carson Hinzman
- RT Josh Fryar
- WR Emeka Egbuka
Starters returning on defense:
- DE JT Tuimoloau
- DT Tyleik Williams
- DT Ty Hamilton
- DE Jack Sawyer
- LB Cody Simon
- CB Denzel Burke
- SAF Lathan Ransom
- SAF Sonny Styles (now a LB)
- CB Davison Igbinosun
Specialists: K Jayden Fielding, LS John Ferlmann
New faces at Ohio State
There are 23 newcomers on the spring roster this year, including 15 true freshmen from the 2024 recruiting class who enrolled in classes in January.
From the recruiting class:
- WR Jeremiah Smith
- CB Aaron Scott Jr.
- QB Air Noland
- CB Bryce West
- CB Miles Lockert
- SAF Jaylen McClain
- RB James Peoples
- LB Garrett Stover
- RB Sam Williams-Dixon
- LB Payton Pierce
- OL Ian Moore
- OL Deontae Armstrong
- OL Davontae Armstrong
- DL Eric Mensah
- DL Eddrick Houston
From the transfer portal:
- RB Quinshon Judkins (Ole Miss)
- SAF Caleb Downs (Alabama)
- QB Julian Sayin (Alabama)
- QB Will Howard (Kansas State)
- LB Joey Valazquez (Michigan)
- OC Seth McLaughlin (Alabama)
- TE Will Kacmarek (Ohio University)
- P Hadi Jawad (walk-on from Wayne State)
To learn more about the spring game, including where to buy tickets, click here.