3 Ohio State players who are entering a make-or-break spring with the Buckeyes
The Ohio State Buckeyes have had most of their focus on building their 2025 coaching staff after multiple departures following the National Championship. That is now over for the most part and there are a few weeks until spring practice will begin for the Buckeyes. With the expanded CFP format making for a longer, more […]
The Ohio State Buckeyes have had most of their focus on building their 2025 coaching staff after multiple departures following the National Championship.
That is now over for the most part and there are a few weeks until spring practice will begin for the Buckeyes. With the expanded CFP format making for a longer, more grueling season, the Buckeyes are going to go one less week in the spring.
During the four weeks that Ohio State practices in the spring, there are a few players who need to have strong showings to ensure a spot where they want to be on the depth chart.
LB C.J. Hicks
I have Hicks listed as a linebacker here where he has spent the last three seasons with the team. Now, it has been heavily speculated that Hicks would be making a switch to being a full-time pass rusher. It isn’t yet known if that is going to happen, but Hicks should be rushing the passer in some form in 2025. The talent is there with the former five-star pass rusher, but it has yet to all come together.
Hicks had 22 tackles and a pair of sacks in 15 games with the Buckeyes in 2024. Ohio State lost both Jack Sawyer and J.T. Tuimoloau to the NFL, so they have to replace all of that production. Caden Curry and Kenyatta Jackson are the two guys penciled in as edge starters. Still, the Buckeyes will need depth there.
QB Lincoln Kienholz
Kienholz is now the veteran in the quarterback room and the guy with the most experience in college. Though he is entering his third season with the Buckeyes, Kienholz has attempted just 22 passes in five career appearances with Ohio State. The Buckeyes will have a quarterback competition for a third straight season and it will be the first where Kienholz is given a legit shot.
Former five-star recruit Julian Sayin is seen as the heavy favorite to win the starting quarterback job. Ohio State would ideally keep Kienholz around as a backup with freshman Tavien St. Clair redshirting. Kienholz needs to have a big spring and impress the staff to give himself a shot to play for Ohio State this spring.
DT Tywone Malone
Malone just wrapped up his second season with the Buckeyes after transferring over from Ole Miss. Since arriving in Columbus, Malone has been a secondary rotation piece at times. Now in his senior season, the opportunity for more snaps is there with Tyleik Williams and Ty Hamilton off to the NFL.
Kayden McDonald and Eddrick Houston look to be the starters inside but Malone should be the third defensive tackle. If Malone can solidify that role, he is in a good place to be a key contributor in 2025.
Ohio State stands in a tough position with two recruits who are trending toward heading south from the Buckeye state
OSU has to make up ground quick.
