COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio State lost a plethora of talent from its championship roster this offseason, but the Buckeyes will still have some of college football’s best players this season.

ESPN released its ranking of the top 100 players in the sport Thursday. Five Buckeyes were featured.

Receiver Jeremiah Smith, unsurprisingly, was rated as the top player in college football this season. Safety Caleb Downs wasn’t far behind, checking in at No. 3.

Linebacker Sonny Styles, Ohio State’s Block O recipient this season, was ranked at No. 62 while receiver Carnell Tate was at No. 67.

The only newcomer on the list for the Buckeyes was Max Klare. The former Purdue transfer tight end checked in at No. 75 after recording 51 receptions for 685 yards and four touchdowns last year.

Texas, Ohio State’s Week 1 opponent, had six players in the top 100:

Anthony Hill, LB: No. 2Colin Simmons, DE: No. 11Arch Manning, QB: No. 23Malik Muhammad, CB: No. 61Michael Taaffe, SAF: No. 64Quintrevion Wisner, RB: No. 69Ohio State projected to repeat

Ohio State football has won nine national titles in program history, but the Buckeyes have never secured back-to-back championships.

That could change this season.

Ohio State has a 14% chance to win this season’s national title again — the best odds in college football, according to The Athletic’s College Football Playoff projections.

The Buckeyes have a 32% chance of winning their conference. The next-closest Big Ten team is Penn State at 28%.

Ohio State has an 80% chance of making the CFP, which is tied with Clemson for the best odds.

Key datesOhio State vs. Texas (season opener): 8 days, Aug. 30, 2025Ohio State vs. Penn State: 71 days, Nov. 1, 2025The Game 2025: 99 days, Nov. 29, 2025Early Signing Period: 104 days, Dec. 4-6, 2025Big Ten Championship Game: 106 days, Dec. 6, 2025College Football Playoff first round: 119 days, Dec. 19-20, 2025College Football Playoff quarterfinal: 131 days, Dec. 31, 2025-Jan. 1, 2026College Football Playoff semifinal: 139 days, Jan. 8-9, 2026College Football Playoff National Championship Game: 149 days, Jan. 18, 2026

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