Ohio State vs. Maryland: Buckeyes Depth Chart Preview After Iowa Win
Fresh off a hard-fought victory over Iowa, the Ohio State Buckeyes return home to Columbus to host Maryland on Saturday, Oct. 10. With a showdown against a Big Ten rival looming, head coach Ryan Day and his staff have released their projected depth chart for the matchup. Here is a position-by-position breakdown of who is expected to take the field for the Buckeyes.
Ohio State's offensive lineup against Maryland
Offensive coordinator Arthur Smith has a wealth of talent at his disposal. The offensive line remains anchored by a veteran group, while the skill positions feature a mix of experienced playmakers and promising newcomers.
Quarterback and running backs
Junior Julian Sayin (6-1, 214) is listed as the starting quarterback, backed up by freshman Luke Fahey (5-11, 206). In the backfield, senior Ja'Kobi Jackson (6-0, 219) gets the nod at running back, with sophomore Bo Jackson (6-0, 218) ready to spell him.
Wide receivers and tight ends
Jeremiah Smith (6-4, 222, Jr.) headlines a deep receiving corps. He is joined by senior Brandon Inniss (6-0, 195) in the slot and senior Devin McCuin (6-0, 195) on the outside. Sophomore Nate Roberts (6-5, 240) is the starting tight end, with senior Mason Williams (6-4, 246) as his backup.
Offensive line
The starting five up front includes left tackle Ian Moore (6-6, 315, Jr.), left guard Luke Montgomery (6-5, 313, Sr.), center Carson Hinzman (6-5, 301, Sr.), right guard Austin Siereveld (6-5, 327, Sr.), and right tackle Phillip Daniels (6-5, 312, Sr.).
Ohio State's defensive depth chart vs. Maryland
Defensive coordinator Matt Patricia has a veteran-laden unit ready to contain Maryland's attack. The defensive line features size and experience, while the secondary is stocked with athletic playmakers.
Defensive line
Qua Russaw (6-2, 244, Sr.) and Kenyatta Jackson Jr. (6-6, 263, Sr.) anchor the defensive end spots. At defensive tackle, John Walker (6-3, 302, Sr.) and Eddrick Houston (6-3, 304, Jr.) are the projected starters.
Linebackers
Payton Pierce (6-1, 232, Jr.) starts at middle linebacker, with Christian Alliegro (6-4, 245, Sr.) on the weak side. Both are backed up by underclassmen looking to make an impact.
Secondary
The cornerback spots go to Jermaine Mathews Jr. (5-11, 195, Sr.) and Devin Sanchez (6-2, 199, So.). At safety, Earl Little Jr. (6-0, 203, Sr.) and Jaylen McClain (6-0, 203, Jr.) are the starters, with Jay Timmons (5-11, 191, Fr.) handling nickel duties.
Special teams and key reserves
Connor Hawkins (6-1, 200, Jr.) is the starting kicker, while Joe McGuire (6-2, 209, Sr.) handles punting duties. Dalton Riggs (6-2, 231, Sr.) is the long snapper.
Notable backups include offensive linemen Carter Lowe and Jake Cook, defensive linemen James Smith and Will Smith, and cornerbacks Dominick Kelly and Cam Calhoun. Freshman safety Simeon Caldwell and cornerback Chris Hentry Jr. are also listed as second-string options.
What this means for Iowa fans
While this depth chart is specific to Ohio State's matchup with Maryland, it offers a glimpse into the team that Iowa faced just a week ago. The Buckeyes' blend of veteran leadership and young talent will be tested again as they push for a Big Ten title. Kickoff is set for Saturday afternoon at Ohio Stadium.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch and has been adapted for Just The News Iowa.