The Ohio State Buckeyes brought in a large freshman class expected to make an impact this season and beyond. The offseason conversation in Columbus has centered on wide receivers Chris Henry Jr. and Brock Boyd along with running back Legend Bey when it comes to the freshman.

Another freshman is generating significant buzz ahead of fall camp, though, and he could push for a starting spot in Week 1 against Ball State.

Freshman cornerback Jay Timmons was a pivotal flip for Ohio State in the class of 2026 when they pulled him away from Florida State last November before he signed with the Buckeyes in December. The former 5-star recruit from Pennsylvania has a chance to be Ohio State’s starting slot cornerback on day one this season and is battling to earn that role.

Is Jay Timmons trending toward being Ohio State’s slot? 

There has been talk of Earl Little Jr. potentially owning the slot spot, with Jaylen McClain and Terry Moore operating as the two safeties. With all the buzz around Little this offseason, he’s likely going to be on the field. Defensive coordinator Matt Patricia is expected to use multiple sub packages, rotating between two linebackers with more defensive backs and three linebackers with one fewer defensive back as typical. 

Timmons could be trending toward that slot cornerback job Ohio State needs to fill after losing Styles from last season. Giving him that role would pair him with Devin Sanchez and Jermaine Mathews Jr. as Ohio State’s three starting cornerbacks, with the latter two on the outside.

According to Lettermen Row’s Jeremy Birmingham, there’s a real chance that Jay Timmons will not only push for playing time early in year one, but that he would be their regular slot corner for Ohio State from the jump.

“According to LR sources, a real sense that Jay Timmons will not only push for playing time early in year one but that he will be the regular slot corner for Ohio State from the jump,” Birmingham wrote.

Timmons starting in the slot, a position growing in importance on the football field within a 4-2-5 defense, would be a significant development. The 5-foot-11, 180-pound cornerback has the flexibility to play both inside and outside. Playing inside early in his Ohio State career could then springboard him into being an outside cornerback for the Buckeyes down the road.

If Timmons is starting, the Buckeyes will have a key starter at a critical position who is a true freshman against the Texas Longhorns in Week 2, Timmons will certainly be targeted, as one would expect, and he will face a big test early in his career if he is indeed the starter.

Either way, even if he doesn’t win the starting job outright, it sounds like Ohio State has a freshman defender who’s going to play a whole lot in 2026. This fall camp will be telling.