Scarlet Sunrise: Buckeyes excited for return of Tyleik Williams' on-field leadership

COLUMBUS — Ohio State defensive tackle and potential All-American Tyleik Williams has missed the last two games with an undisclosed injury. Buckeyes coach Ryan Day make it official on Wednesday that Williams will be back Saturday when they take on Iowa at 3:30 p.m. (CBS).

It’s not just that Williams is a really good defensive tackle. The senior is also a big-time leader for this Buckeyes defensive front that has clearly missed him on the interior during the last two games. His return will provide a major boost ahead of the Iowa matchup — in which Ohio State will need to stop the nation’s second leading rusher in Kaleb Johnson.

“Tyleik’s a great player, but he’s a leader,” Day said. “And there’s a lot of communication in there. One thing about Tyleik, he’s got a very, very high football IQ. There were times where we did miss him, but it was good to see other guys step up too. We need to continue to see that. But there’s no question that he’s a very, very strong player, makes a lot of plays, but also has leadership.

“He’s been in the program for a while, and has strong relationships with everybody on the team, but in particular, the guys up front. Helps them, that part of it, for sure. So it’s good to have him back this week.”

With Williams back in the lineup this week, Ohio State will return to full strength along the defensive line. That’s huge for this Iowa matchup — and for the leadership in the trenches.

Buckeyes picked to finish eighth in B1G preseason poll

Hoops season is quickly approaching for Ohio State under first-year head coach Jake Diebler. Media members from around the Big Ten like what Diebler will have on his first roster with the Buckeyes.

Ohio State was picked by the media to finish eighth in the Big Ten this season, according to the preseason poll that was released Wednesday. Purdue is the pick from the media to win the league. Indiana, UCLA, Illinois, Michigan State, Oregon and Rutgers are all ahead of the Buckeyes. Ohio State did receive one first-place vote among the media.

In addition to the preseason poll, the preseason All-Big Ten selections were also revealed. Buckeyes guard Bruce Thornton is a preseason first-team selection along with Purdue’s Braden Smith, Iowa’s Payton Sandfort, Indiana’s Oumar Ballo and Rutgers’ Dylan Harper. No other Buckeyes players were on the first or second team preseason all-league list.

Ohio State will open its season with a marquee neutral-site game in Las Vegas against Texas. That matchup will be Nov. 4. Other notable nonconference games early in the year include matchups against Texas A&M, Kentucky, Pittsburgh and Auburn.

Ohio State opens October with top-ranked 2025 recruiting class

Ohio State’s continued recruiting excellence kicks off another month. The Buckeyes start October with the top-ranked 2025 recruiting class in the On3 Team Industry Rankings.

Ohio State holds an average class score of 93.93 and an average player rating of 92.19. Behind the Buckeyes in the top five are Alabama, LSU, Georgia and Auburn.

The top five in the Big Ten are Ohio State, Oregon, USC, Michigan and Penn State.

Lettermen Row showcased the Buckeyes’ top-ranked class here.

Counting down

Buckeyes vs. Iowa: 2 days
Ohio State at Oregon: 9 days
Ohio State at Penn State: 30 days
Buckeyes vs. Michigan: 58 days

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