Ohio State’s key players to watch before clashing with Texas for a National Championship berth

The National Semifinal between Texas and Ohio State promises to be an epic battle of powerhouse programs. Both teams boast elite talent and depth, with playmakers who can single-handedly shift the momentum of the game. Ohio State’s roster features stars on both sides of the ball, making them a formidable opponent for the Longhorns. Normally I give about five players total as far as key players, but Ohio State is super talented and I decided to add who I think our impact players for them.

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Let’s break down Ohio State’s key players, their abilities, and the impact they could have in this highly anticipated showdown.

Quarterback: Will Howard (6’4”, 235 lbs)

Howard has developed into one of the nation’s top quarterbacks, recording 3,490 passing yards, a 72.6% completion rate, 32 touchdowns, and only 9 interceptions. He’s also added 82 carries for 165 yards and 7 rushing touchdowns. While Texas fans remember his struggles in prior matchups, this year’s Howard is a confident leader, capable of executing a dynamic offense and delivering under pressure.

Running Backs: TreVeyon Henderson (5’10”, 208 lbs) and Quinshon Judkins (6’0”, 219 lbs)

Ohio State’s backfield duo combines speed and power:

Henderson: A game-breaking runner with 925 rushing yards, a long of 66 yards, and 10 touchdowns. His 26 receptions for 209 yards make him a versatile threat, equally dangerous as a receiver out of the backfield.

Judkins: A power back with 924 rushing yards, a long of 86 yards, and 10 touchdowns, Junkins brings physicality to Ohio State’s offense while retaining the ability to break long runs.

Receivers: Jeremiah Smith (6’3”, 215 lbs), Emeka Egbuka (6’1”, 205 lbs), and Carnell Tate (6’3”, 191 lbs)

Ohio State’s receiving corps is loaded with talent

Smith: The sensational freshman leads the team with 70 catches for 1,224 yards (17.5 avg) and 14 touchdowns. His longest reception of 70 yards highlights his ability to dominate games with his size, speed, and route-running.

Egbuka: A reliable target with 70 catches for 896 yards and 10 touchdowns, Egbuka is known for his toughness and ability to make difficult catches in traffic. He thrives as a complement to Smith and can hurt defenses that overcommit.

Tate: A physical receiver with 43 catches for 611 yards and 4 touchdowns, Tate excels in the red zone and on contested catches, using his size and strong hands to win 50-50 balls.

Defensive Line: Tyleik Williams (6’3”, 327 lbs), Ty Hamilton (6’3”, 300 lbs), Jack Sawyer (6’5”, 260 lbs), and J.T. Tuimoloau (6’5”, 270 lbs)

Ohio State’s defensive front is among the best in college football:

Williams: With 38 tackles and 2.5 sacks, Williams has a quick first step and often commands double teams, freeing his teammates to make plays.

Hamilton: A steady force with 47 tackles and 3 sacks, Hamilton thrives when offenses focus on Williams, allowing him to dominate one-on-one matchups.

Sawyer: A complete edge rusher with 53 tackles, 8 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, and 1 interception, Sawyer excels against both the pass and run, sealing the edge effectively.

Tuimoloau: With 49 tackles, 10 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles, Tuimoloau’s explosiveness makes him one of the nation’s premier edge defenders. Like Sawyer, he is a complete player, capable of shutting down the run.

Linebacker: Cody Simon (6’2”, 235 lbs)

Simon anchors the defense with 97 tackles, 7 sacks, and 1 forced fumble. His instincts and sideline-to-sideline speed make him a key player in stopping Texas’ rushing attack. Simon’s open-field tackling will be crucial in containing the Longhorns’ playmakers.

Cornerbacks: Denzel Burke (6’1”, 193 lbs) and Davison Igbinosun (6’2”, 193 lbs)

Burke: A physical corner with 43 tackles and 2 interceptions, Burke excels in press coverage and uses his speed to stay with any receiver. His length and athleticism make him a tough matchup for Texas’ wideouts.

Igbinosun: Another big, physical corner, Igbinosun disrupts routes and thrives in contested situations. He excels at defending 50-50 balls and is a strong tackler in the open field.

Safeties: Sonny Styles (6’4”, 235 lbs), Lathan Ransom (6’1”, 210 lbs), and Caleb Downs (6’0”, 205 lbs)

Ohio State’s safeties provide versatility and physicality:

Styles: Often playing in the box like an extra linebacker, Styles has 85 tackles, 4 sacks, and 4 pass breakups (PBUs). His size and athleticism allow him to cover tight ends and backs while being a force against the run.

Ransom: A former high school teammate of Texas great Bijan Robinson, Ransom is a hard-hitting safety with 68 tackles, 1 sack, 3 forced fumbles, 2 PBUs, and 1 interception. He excels at covering intermediate routes and delivers punishing hits over the middle.

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Downs: The Thorpe Award finalist has 71 tackles, 1 sack, 1 interception, and 6 PBUs. Downs is a Swiss Army knife for the Buckeyes, playing as a deep safety, linebacker, and nickel. He’s always around the ball and has even returned a punt for a touchdown this season.