Ohio State Buckeyes’ surprising freshman is turning heads this summer in Columbus out of no where
The Ohio State Buckeyes had freshman Chris Henry Jr. and Brock Boyd create some buzz in the spring. Now, another freshman name is coming about for the Buckeyes as we work through June.
Back in the spring it was figured that former five-star WR Chris Henry Jr. would make some early practice noise for the Ohio State Buckeyes. Henry along with fellow wide receiver Brock Boyd were the two freshmen who drew the most buzz.
Ohio State typically has a couple of freshmen each season who find their way into some playing time, even if it’s being a key special teamer. Summer workouts are off and running in Columbus and another freshman is clearly impressing.
Ohio State freshman defender might push for an early impact in 2026
Former four-star safety recruit Kaden Gebhardt was named a dude of the week by the Ohio State football program. While it’s nothing major in the grand scheme of things, it’s notable that a freshman who hasn’t been talked about much was tabbed player of the week, along with starting C Carson Hinzman and LB TJ Alford.
Austin Ward of Lettermen Row recently raised a good point around Gebhardt putting himself in a position to at least make a special teams impact in Year 1, and it’s hard to argue.
“The path to playing time in the Ohio State secondary is a relatively steep climb, and this impressive stretch of practices and workouts isn’t all that likely to put Gebhardt into the mix for high-leverage snaps as a freshman on defense,” Ward wrote. “But he is certainly building a case to contribute early on special teams, and that tends to bode well in the long run as that experience sets the foundation for a bigger role down the line.”
It’s going to be tough to crack the safety rotation for Gebhardt with what’s ahead of him. Jaylen McClain is the returning starter for the Buckeyes with transfers Terry Moore and Earl Little Jr. both set to have roles in Columbus. Leroy Roker is pushing to be the top depth player for Ohio State while former highly touted recruit and current freshman Blaine Bradford could end up in the two-deep.
Gebhardt likely finds himself behind those players, which could have him filling in as a key special teams player. The Buckeyes pushed to keep the Central Ohio native in Columbus during his recruiting by flipping him away from Clemson. Gebhardt is 6-foot-1, 200 pounds, and has quietly been one of Ohio State’s top freshmen this offseason.