Ohio State has far fewer returning starters for the 2025 season than it did the last two times it was the defending national champion.
After winning the first-ever College Football Playoff title in 2014, Ohio State brought back 15 of its primary starters for the 2015 season. After winning the BCS national championship in 2002, Ohio State brought back 13 of its primary starters for the 2003 season.
Ohio State’s 2025 lineup, on the other hand, will include just seven players who started a majority of its games in 2024. The Buckeyes have to replace 17 players who played major roles for them this past season, 15 of whom were invited to the NFL Scouting Combine as projected draft picks.