Big Ten Media Days will take place next week and fall camp is right around the corner for the Ohio State Buckeyes. Football is just about back and we’ll soon get our first real look at the 2026 Buckeyes. 

Ohio State is replacing a ton from last season’s team as they typically do every year. North of 30 players, mostly on the backend of the roster, opted to hit the transfer portal. Combine it with 11 draft picks and the Buckeyes have a very different roster in 2026. 

There are a few should-be starters for the Buckeyes that we’ll be keeping an eye on over the next month. 

LT Ian Moore 

Ohio State knows who four of its five starters along the offensive line are, and the fifth spot is between Moore suiting up at left tackle and someone else taking the right guard spot instead of Austin Siereveld moving back inside. Moore got some experience last year late in the season with the Buckeyes and he’s one of the few true offensive tackles on this Buckeyes roster. 

Moore is pushing to be the starting left tackle and winning the job will take a strong impression in fall camp. Ohio State wants to get its best five offensive linemen out there and Moore needs to show he’s one of them.

TE Nate Roberts

Roberts was one of Ohio State’s freshmen who played the most last season for them. Though he only ended the season with four catches for 30 yards, the second-year player was trusted as a blocker right away in Columbus, and now he’s set to be a bigger part of the offense this season. 

I expect Roberts to be tight ends coach Keenan Bailey’s top guy at the position in 2026 and he will see a bump in production as a pass catcher. The 6-foot-5, 240-pound tight end can turn a good fall camp into early-season success against Texas, and it’d be huge for what’s ahead in his sophomore season.  

LB Payton Pierce  

Entering his third season in Columbus, the linebacker with the most experience at Ohio State is set to be a full-time starter. Pierce recorded 43 tackles and a big forced fumble during the College Football Playoff last season and that experience should be a leaping pad for him going into this year. 

The Texas native is one of the first players James Laurinaitis brought to Ohio State, and he will have a chance to stay on the field for the Buckeyes this season. A strong fall camp going into the season would be big for a player who should be as important as anyone on Matt Patricia’s defense.