Phall
Master
Since 2005, Ohio State has started 12, 11, 11, 10, 10, 12, 12, 8, 4, 6, 6, 3, 3, 5, 6, 3, 5, 6, 5, and 6 white players (no writeup in 2013). In 2026, the Buckeyes are projected to start a whopping 9.
Quarterback Julian Sayin won the starting job last year in a supposed coin-flip against now-Louisville starter Lincoln Kienholz. It will be an interesting subplot to follow their performances and eventual draft buzz. Sayin was a 5-star recruit out of high school and will put up big stats against what are generally very overmatched opposing defenses. A Heisman campaign isn’t out of the question, although Sayin will get “dinged” for his elite crop of receivers and a lot of inevitable “game management” play-calling.
At 4/5 starters, this will be the whitest offensive line for the Buckeyes in quite some time.
True freshman Brock Boyd is currently listed on at the 2-deep at outside WR. There will be a lot of spoon-feeding to the Buckeyes’ black receivers, but Boyd could add an intriguing wrinkle if he sees the field. Tight end Nate Roberts is more of a blocker, so Northwestern transfer Hunter Welcing may be in line for some red zone targets.
DE Beau Atkinson returns after a disappointing 2025. He was an expensive transfer from UNC two years ago that had difficulty seeing the field last season. He has a freaky athleticism profile that should see him drafted with even a mediocre 2026.
Payton Pierce returns as a potential all-conference linebacker. He’ll be joined by Wisconsin transfer Christian Alliegro.
This is a pretty standard “caste 9” group of starters, and the depth chart isn't exceptional, but it’s the whitest Ohio State team in over a decade.
Starters
QB Julian Sayin
OL Ian Moore, Luke Montgomery, Carson Hinzman, Austin Siereveld
TE Nate Roberts
DE Beau Atkinson
WLB Christian Alliegro
MLB Payton Pierce
Backups
WR Brock Boyd, David Adolph
TE Hunter Welcing, Mason Williams, Bennett Christian
OL Sam Greer, Jake Cook, Gabe VanSickle
LB Garrett Stover, Eli Lee
Quarterback Julian Sayin won the starting job last year in a supposed coin-flip against now-Louisville starter Lincoln Kienholz. It will be an interesting subplot to follow their performances and eventual draft buzz. Sayin was a 5-star recruit out of high school and will put up big stats against what are generally very overmatched opposing defenses. A Heisman campaign isn’t out of the question, although Sayin will get “dinged” for his elite crop of receivers and a lot of inevitable “game management” play-calling.
At 4/5 starters, this will be the whitest offensive line for the Buckeyes in quite some time.
True freshman Brock Boyd is currently listed on at the 2-deep at outside WR. There will be a lot of spoon-feeding to the Buckeyes’ black receivers, but Boyd could add an intriguing wrinkle if he sees the field. Tight end Nate Roberts is more of a blocker, so Northwestern transfer Hunter Welcing may be in line for some red zone targets.
DE Beau Atkinson returns after a disappointing 2025. He was an expensive transfer from UNC two years ago that had difficulty seeing the field last season. He has a freaky athleticism profile that should see him drafted with even a mediocre 2026.
Payton Pierce returns as a potential all-conference linebacker. He’ll be joined by Wisconsin transfer Christian Alliegro.
This is a pretty standard “caste 9” group of starters, and the depth chart isn't exceptional, but it’s the whitest Ohio State team in over a decade.
Starters
QB Julian Sayin
OL Ian Moore, Luke Montgomery, Carson Hinzman, Austin Siereveld
TE Nate Roberts
DE Beau Atkinson
WLB Christian Alliegro
MLB Payton Pierce
Backups
WR Brock Boyd, David Adolph
TE Hunter Welcing, Mason Williams, Bennett Christian
OL Sam Greer, Jake Cook, Gabe VanSickle
LB Garrett Stover, Eli Lee
