Returnees abound for the Ohio State football team, as several players announced yesterday that they will stay in Columbus. Considering that the cupboard was not bare, to begin with, the Buckeyes will have a very good football team next season. It is justified to think of them as the top team in 2025. This article will focus on returnees wide receiver Carnell Tate, who will not transfer, cornerback Davidson Igbinosun, who did not declare for the National Football League, and linebacker Sonny Styles, who, similarly, is not turning professional. With all of the returnees, where do you think the Buckeyes should be ranked next season?
Returnee Sonny Styles
The first of the returnees for the Ohio State football team is linebacker Sonny Styles. Styles started his college football career as a wide receiver at Notre Dame (actually, there are a lot of ties between Ohio State and Notre Dame). So, he could use more seasoning at linebacker to improve his draft stock. Styles will likely team with junior Arvell Reese to form a deadly duo at linebacker. The Buckeyes play only two linebackers in its base defense. Ohio State plays five in the defensive secondary, so the next returnee to Columbus will be important.
Returnee Davidson Igbinosun
The second of the returnees for the Buckeyes next season is cornerback Davidson Igbinosun. Igbinosun led the nation with 16 defensive penalties (holding and pass interference in 2024). So, he needs another season to prove he can cover wide receivers without committing penalties. He needs to practice with oven mitts on to combat his ‘handsy’ style of defense. Nevertheless, Igbinosun is a returning starter on a loaded Ohio State defense. He will likely team with Jermaine Mathews Jr. to form a blanketing cornerback rotation. Expect true freshman Devin Sanchez to get a lot of snaps at the position as well.
Returnee Carnell Tate
The third and final returnee for Ohio State is wide receiver Carnell Tate. This is important for the Buckeyes, as Tate did not enter the transfer portal. He was rumored to be going to Oregon. Tate was the third wide receiving option for Ohio State in the 2024 national championship run. He starred in several games and benefitted from all the attention paid to freshman sensation Jeremiah Smith and senior Emeka Ebuka.
Ohio State’s wide receiver room will be loaded as long as ace recruiter Brian Hartline is there. Tate will team with Brandon Inness and Jeremiah Smith. Smith was great, and Inness also got a lot of playing time on the 2024 team. There is also a lot of depth for the Buckeyes in the wide receiver room; expect more greatness. True freshman Quincy Porter will also catch a lot of balls.
Ohio State 2025 Depth Chart
With returnees Styles, Igbinosun, and Tate, the Ohio State football team is loaded next year. The depth chart for the 2025 season looks great. The Buckeyes will, indeed, be stacked. When you consider that winning a national championship benefits recruiting and the transfer portal for Ohio State. Despite the losses, the Buckeyes will be fine next season. This assessment applies even if there are more losses at the school, as expected.
Conclusion
With the addition of the three returnees, Ohio State will be in very good shape for the 2025 college football season. The Buckeyes should be favored in all of their games and repeat as national champions. This should happen despite what will be a lengthy exodus of assistant coaches. Coaches and players leaving after winning a national championship is normal.
