Ohio State Buckeyes Drop in Post-Spring Football Power Rankings

The Buckeyes fell from second to fifth on ESPN’s list after concluding the first set of offseason practices with an inconsistent Spring Game.

The Ohio State Buckeyes are now ESPN’s fifth-best team according to their latest power rankings following the conclusion of spring practices.

The Buckeyes finished 11-2 last season with a 42-41 loss to the No. 1 Georgia Bulldogs in the 2023 Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl.

The dramatic fall from second (where the Buckeyes had been earlier this offseason) comes after a series of inconsistent performances by key players in Ohio State’s Spring Game.

Among those with shaky outings in the annual scrimmage was junior quarterback Kyle McCord. McCord had moments in which he seemed comfortable maneuvering around the pocket and making decisions quickly, but some incompletions as well.

The Buckeyes have made some changes to their roster since last season, bringing in an impressive recruiting class that includes wide receiver, Carnell Tate. Tate scored a 37-yard touchdown during Ohio State’s Spring Game off of a pass from McCord.

Returners like senior left tackle Josh Fryar and defensive end Jack Sawyer have moved into larger roles on both the offense and defense, with Fryar filling in the role of Paris Johnson Jr. as left tackle.

Sophomore Tegra Tshabola has taken up the position of right tackle.

Plenty more has yet to be seen for the Buckeyes including sophomore quarterback Devin Brown, a contender alongside McCord for the starting role behind center. Brown missed the Spring Game due to a finger injury.

A roster at full strength and a definitive starting quarterback will surely improve Ohio State’s placement on a power rankings list, but the real exhibit will come during Opening Weekend in September. 

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