The 2026 college football season is less than two weeks away for the Ohio State Buckeyes. Ohio State enters the season with high expectations but a largely different roster than the one that went 12-2 last year. Second-year starting quarterback Julian Sayin returns alongside Jeremiah Smith, giving Ohio State a strong foundation. 

Beyond those two, Arthur Smith will be working with a group of new playmakers stepping into prominent roles for the first time.

Hype continues to build around freshman wide receiver Brock Boyd continues to build. The former 3-star recruit out of Texas has turned heads since spring practice and carried that momentum through fall camp, positioning himself as a key piece of offensive coordinator Arthur Smith’s offense in Columbus.

The latest around the talented freshman sounds promising as Ohio State coach Ryan Day gave an update on where Boyd stands heading into the season.

“I think he’s going to play,” Day stated. “How much is to be determined, but he will play. And somebody who has had a really good camp, he’s practiced every day. And you know, when you’re out there every day, and you’re you’re playing with the ones and twos, and you’re mixing yourself in there. 

He’s gotten a lot of reps with the ones in the last week. You know, you just you continually get better.”

Brock Boyd has earned his spot with consistency from spring to fall camp

The 6-foot-1 slot receiver has all but asserted himself as a rotational piece for the Buckeyes heading into the season. Boyd figures to be the fifth receiver on Ohio State’s depth chart behind Jeremiah Smith, Brandon Inniss, transfer Devin McCuin, and fellow freshman and former 5-star recruit Chris Henry Jr.

That pecking order hasn’t stopped Boyd from making an impression. His route-running ability is already advanced for a true freshman, and his acceleration and explosiveness in short areas have been noticeable throughout camp. Day’s comments about Boyd getting reps with the first-team offense over the past week suggests the coaching staff trusts what they’ve seen.

A former 3-star recruit who wasn’t one of the headliners in Ohio State’s recruiting class, he’s earned his way into the conversation through consistent work. The buzz that started in the spring and hasn’t slowed through fall camp is a promising sign for a player who could be a legitimate weapon as early as this season.

Ohio State’s schedule is a gauntlet, and the Buckeyes will need contributions from players beyond their established stars. Boyd appears ready to be a player who can do that. We will learn how serious Boyd’s role will be in Week 2 against Texas.