The Buckeyes have two of the best players in college football. Quarterback Julian Sayin might be the most accurate passer in the country. Wide receiver Jeremiah Smith is a human highlight reel who could go No. 1 overall in the 2027 NFL Draft. And somehow, according to On3’s J.D. Pickell, Ohio State still only has the third-best offense heading into 2026.
That’s not a knock on Ryan Day’s squad. It’s more about what Miami and Oregon have cooked up.
Miami grabbed Darian Mensah from the transfer portal, and that pushed the Hurricanes to No. 1 on Pickell’s list. Oregon landed at No. 2 with Dante Moore back under center. But here’s the thing — Ohio State has the talent to surpass both by the time the College Football Playoff rolls around.
Smith is the kind of receiver who warps defensive game plans. He’s 6-foot-3, runs routes like a five-year vet, and has the kind of catch radius that makes quarterbacks look better than they are. He was a monster as a freshman and hasn’t slowed down. Sayin, meanwhile, doesn’t have the biggest arm or the most imposing frame, but he throws the ball with a precision that’s rare even at this level. Defenses can’t load the box against Ohio State because Sayin will pick them apart if they do.
But the Buckeyes aren’t just a two-man show.
Running back Bo Jackson (yes, that’s his real name) is back after a solid season. Brandon Inniss is another former top recruit who should see a bigger role. And then there’s Chris Henry Jr., the true freshman wideout who arrives with sky-high expectations. Henry Jr. is the son of the late Bengals receiver Chris Henry, and he’s already drawing comparisons to some of the best to ever do it. He might not start right away, but he’ll get plenty of snaps in new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith’s scheme.
The big question is whether Ohio State can actually field the best offense in the country. The pieces are there. The schedule is manageable. The quarterback has a year of starting experience. But college football is full of teams that looked great on paper and stumbled once the games started.
One thing worth watching: Sayin’s draft stock. Some scouts love his accuracy and football IQ. Others worry about his size and whether his arm strength translates to the next level. For now, he’s focused on 2026, and if he plays like he did down the stretch last season, those concerns might start fading.
Ohio State opens the season against a non-conference opponent that shouldn’t give them much trouble, but the real tests come in Big Ten play. Michigan is always a headache. Oregon will be waiting. And if the Buckeyes can survive that gauntlet, they might end up with the No. 1 offense after all.
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