Five Buckeye Freshmen In Line To Be Key Contributors

With the amount of veterans the Buckeyes lost after last season, more players will need to step up than in a typical season. That number will even include a few true freshmen this year. Ohio State signed the No. 4 recruiting class in the 2025 cycle, so there are a number of talented new Buckeyes being added to the mix.

Not all contributions are created equally. For a true freshman, that may simply mean spot duty or special teams. Some freshmen, however, inevitably work their way into the two-deep — as Jeremiah Smith, Eddrick Houston, Aaron Scott, and Jaylen McClain did last year. That may only happen for a couple of Ohio State freshmen this year, but there will be legitimate roles for other as well.

Here are five Buckeye freshmen who could be key contributors this season.

Devin Sanchez, Cornerback

Devin Sanchez was in the two-deep in the spring, running with sophomore Aaron Scott as the backups to starters Jermaine Mathews and Davison Igbinosun. As the nation’s top cornerback recruit, the expectations for Sanchez are understandably high. He certainly didn’t look out of place in the spring. Ohio State isn’t afraid to use more than two cornerbacks, as they eventually showed last year with Mathews getting into the rotation. Whether Sanchez is the No. 3 corner or No. 4 corner, there will be opportunities to get him on the field this year. He is part of the future at the position for the Buckeyes.

Quincy Porter, Wide Receiver

It took 11 practices in the spring for Quincy Porter to have his black stripe removed. The removal came following an open practice where hundreds of onlookers watched Porter make catches all over the field. He was the only true freshman to have his black stripe removed during the 15 spring practices. Receivers coach Brian Hartline doesn’t talk too much about his depth chart, but Quincy Porter was routinely seen in the two-deep during the spring. You can probably call him Jeremiah Smith’s backup if you want. That may limit his role initially, but the best players are going to play.

Bo Jackson, Running Back

It is not easy for a No. 3 running back to find carries at Ohio State. James Peoples was that guy last year as a true freshman, and he carried the ball just 49 times over the course of a 16-game season. Bo Jackson will be competing with redshirt freshman Sam Williams-Dixon to be the No. 3 tailback. Jackson had a great spring and showcased his speed, power, and patience. The Ohio State running game is not nearly as proven as it was a year ago, which means there’s a possibility that Bo Jackson could be involved even more than just as the guy who runs the clock out in blowouts like Peoples did a year ago.

Faheem Delane, Safety

The Buckeyes have had a true freshman in the two-deep at safety each of the past three years. In 2022, it was Sonny Styles, then Malik Hartford in 2023, followed by Jaylen McClain last year. Faheem Delane could make it four years in a row. He will have competition, but he will eventually get situated at one of the safety spots and go from there. The Buckeyes feel pretty good about their top three of Caleb Downs, Hartford, and McClain. Redshirt freshman Leroy Roker had a strong spring, so he could factor in somewhere as well. Delane brings a physical presence with range. He’ll also be involved on special teams.

Jarquez Carter, Defensive Tackle

A number of defensive Buckeyes could have been chosen here, but the pick for Jarquez Carter is based as much on Carter’s potential as it is the lack of production from the defensive tackle position overall. Carter is an early enrollee, which is almost a must in order to be a freshman contributor. He was maybe a little undersized (6-1 285) at defensive tackle in the spring, but that’s never stopped defensive line coach Larry Johnson from putting somebody in the game if they can be disruptive. The Buckeyes need as much help as they can find up front, which means everybody’s going to get a good, long look.

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