17 days until kickoff! That means it’s time for another edition of The Men Behind the Numbers. I couldn’t talk myself out of making today the most recent player that I’ll discuss in one of these. I had it written down as Chris Sanders, but the more I thought about it I couldn’t pass up on a chance to talk about Carnell Tate, given everything the young man has overcome.

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18 days until kickoff! That means it’s time for another edition of The Men Behind the Numbers. As much as I wanted to make this Tate Martell, I just couldn’t pass up the chance to talk about Tim “OG Walt” Walton. A man whose hiring flew under the radar when it happened. Now he’s looked at as one of the two best recruiters on the staff.

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Ohio State enters the season with championship expectations once again, but the road to the College Football Playoff could be one of the toughest in the country. From marquee non-conference matchups to a loaded Big Ten slate, the Buckeyes will be tested throughout the fall.

In this episode of the Buckeye Film Breakdown Podcast, Jeremy and Coach Slate go game-by-game through Ohio State’s 2026 schedule. Where are the potential trap games? Which matchups will define the season? And where could the Buckeyes potentially stumble?

We break down all 12 games, make our picks, and give our final predictions for Ohio State’s 2026 regular-season record.

19 days until kickoff! That means it’s time for another edition of The Men Behind the Numbers. I was a teenager in the 90’s, so I didn’t appreciate the insane talent that the Cooper years had. Ahmed Plummer may not be Antoine Winfield, but he was another in the line of talented corners to come through Columbus in that era.

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20 days until kickoff! That means it’s time for another edition of The Men Behind the Numbers. 3 weeks from today we will be in full blown Texas mode! Nate Clements is one of the most consistent corners that OSU has had. Unlike some of the guys we’ve discussed, that consistency also carried over to the next level.

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They also cover the latest developments from fall camp, including Bo Jackson continuing to earn praise from Ryan Day and defensive lineman Khary Wilder and quarterback Luke Fahey officially losing their black stripes. With position battles intensifying, young players emerging and the season quickly approaching, the 2026 Buckeyes are beginning to take shape.

21 days until kickoff! That means it’s time for another edition of The Men Behind the Numbers. We are 3 weeks away! After today, all the players we will discuss are either skill positions or quarterbacks, with one exception. Today we discuss the last special teams player, punter BJ Sander. I couldn’t do the number 21 though and not give you guys a 2 for 1, so we are going to highlight Parris Campbell too.

Who was the first Ohio State punter to win the Ray Guy award? BJ Sander in 2003. What makes that achievement seem even crazier is that 2003 was the only year he would punt for the Buckeyes. Having sat behind Andy Groom for 3 seasons, he learned from one of the best. What a different era that was.

Sander would take over for Groom in 2003. He would average 43.3 yards per punt in route to being first team All Big Ten. The season would conclude with him winning the Ray Guy, which goes to the most outstanding punter in the nation. It’s only fitting that the first time a Buckeye punter would win the award would be under Jim Tressel.

Sander would go on to be drafted in the 3rd round of the 2024 draft by the Green Bay Packers. His NFL career would last just one season, as he struggled mightily once the weather turned cold at Lambeau. But, NFL struggles aside, Sander will always be the answer to an OSU trivia question.

Just a Kid from Akron, just not THAT kid from Akron

Parris Campbell came to OSU from Akron St. Vincent St. Mary. An elite athlete with top level speed, he was a fantastic weapon for coach Urban Meyer.

Campbell would spend 5 years in the program, but his best season was by far his last one. In his senior campaign he would eclipse the 1,000 yard mark and score 12 td’s to go along with it. That production would help him become a 2nd round pick of the Indianapolis Colts. The thought of him in a dome excited a lot of people. Unfortunately, the injury bug would find him and do so frequently.

In 7 NFL seasons, he would log time in 50 games with multiple teams. He would spend time with the Colts, Giants, Eagles, and Cowboys. In those 50 games he would have 123 grabs and 6 touchdowns. Campbell is one of those guys that we will never forget what he did while in Columbus though. He was a home run threat every time he touched the rock.

He has recently been spotted at OSU training camp exploring a future in coaching. I would love to see him take on a GA role next year and help develop what’s going to be a talented room.

LATEST PODCASTS:

• The Buckeye Film Breakdown Podcast | Who Earns the Block O? Predicting Ohio State’s 2026 Captains

• The Buckeye Film Breakdown Podcast | Recruiting Fallout & Media Day Takeaways

• The Buckeye Film Breakdown Podcast | The Business of the Block O

LATEST ARTICLES:

• The Men Behind the Numbers: Number 33, James Laurinaitis

• The Men Behind the Numbers: Number 34, Carlos Hyde

LATEST FILM ROOM:

• FILM ROOM: Jaylen McClain is UP NEXT

• FILM ROOM: Phillip Daniels — Tackle, Guard, or Both?

Buckeye Film Breakdown will return soon with some fresh content.

22 days until kickoff! That means it’s time for another edition of The Men Behind the Numbers. The Heisman winners are the easy numbers to pick a player for. Number 22 stayed in rotation until it’s retirement in 2001. Despite not being retired until 2001, the last time it was worn was 1993 by Dan Colson.

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23 days until kickoff! That means it’s time for another edition of The Men Behind the Numbers. Tyvis Powell was one of the first guys to commit to OSU after Jim Tressel departed. By one of the first, I mean 2 days later. Powell would go on to prove he was more than just Cardale’s roommate while at OSU.

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24 days until kickoff! That means it’s time for another edition of The Men Behind the Numbers. Ohio State has had plenty of great corners pass through the Woody. Shawn Springs not only laid the groundwork for #BIA before it was a thing, but is one of the best to ever represent DBU.

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We also head north to discuss Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood and his “just another game” comments about Ohio State. Is it simply a quarterback trying to keep the same approach every week, or does The Game demand a little more than that?

Football is back, camp is rolling, and we’ve finally got some actual football to talk about.

25 days until kickoff! That means it’s time for another edition of The Men Behind the Numbers. It’s interesting to see how many of the upper tier OSU running backs are from Ohio. Antonio Pittman is no exception, as he hails from Akron.

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26 days until kickoff! That means it’s time for another edition of The Men Behind the Numbers. I know that I’ve thrown around the word overlooked a lot in this series, but today’s subject is definitely overlooked. Robert Smith’s time at OSU was interesting to say the least, and his NFL career was cut short. But, the flashes where there for sure.

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27 days until kickoff! That means it’s time for another edition of The Men Behind the Numbers. Number 27 needs zero introduction. So, ladies and gentleman today we feature Eddie George.

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Ohio State’s 2028 recruiting class received its biggest addition yet Friday as five-star quarterback Christopher Vargas announced his commitment to the Buckeyes.

For Ryan Day, it’s another significant recruiting victory at the game’s most important position. Since arriving in Columbus, Day has made quarterback recruiting the foundation of Ohio State’s offensive identity, and Vargas is the latest elite prospect to buy into that vision.

While quarterback is only one position on the field, it often dictates the direction of an entire recruiting class. The nation’s top receivers want to catch passes from elite quarterbacks. Offensive linemen want to protect them. Tight ends and running backs want to play in offenses capable of competing for championships.

That’s why Vargas’ commitment carries weight far beyond filling a roster spot.

What Ohio State is Getting

• CLASS: 2028

• POSITION: Quarterback

• SIZE: 6-4 / 180

• SCHOOL: St. John’s Prep (Danvers, MA)

• RATING: ★★★★★

• COMPOSITE RANK: No. 1 QB | Top Overall Prospect

Why Ohio State Made Him a Priority

At 6-foot-4, Vargas possesses the physical tools that immediately grab your attention, but it’s the refinement of his game that separates him from many quarterbacks his age.

He consistently plays with balance in the pocket, keeps his eyes downfield under pressure, and delivers the football with anticipation instead of waiting for receivers to come open. Those are traits typically seen in older quarterbacks, making his ceiling even more intriguing.

Rather than relying solely on arm strength, Vargas wins with timing, accuracy and an understanding of where the football needs to go before the defense can react.

That style of play has become a hallmark of Ohio State’s offense under Ryan Day.

Quarterback commitments often become recruiting catalysts.

When a player of Vargas’ caliber commits early, it sends a message to the rest of the class that Ohio State has secured its leader. From this point forward, every offensive skill player the Buckeyes recruit knows who could eventually be delivering them the football.

That’s how elite classes are built.

Ohio State has consistently shown an ability to surround elite quarterbacks with elite talent, and Vargas now becomes the centerpiece of those efforts in the 2028 cycle.

While there’s still plenty of work to do before National Signing Day, landing a quarterback of this caliber allows the coaching staff to recruit with even greater momentum.

LATEST PODCASTS:

• The Buckeye Film Breakdown Podcast Mailbag | Fall Camp Edition

• The Buckeye Film Breakdown Podcast | Who Earns the Block O? Predicting Ohio State’s 2026 Captains

• The Buckeye Film Breakdown Podcast | Fall Camp Watch List: Offense

LATEST ARTICLES:

• An Evening Update 7/24: More Than a Game

• Weekend Recruiting Update: Karlos May Commits and the Biggest Decision of the Summer is This Week

• The Opening Drive 6/24: The Blueprint I Follow

LATEST FILM ROOM:

• FILM ROOM: Jaylen McClain is UP NEXT

• FILM ROOM: Phillip Daniels — Tackle, Guard, or Both?

• FILM ROOM: Play Action Through the Quarterback

A Natural Fit in Columbus

The Buckeyes have established themselves as one of college football’s premier destinations for quarterback development.

Ryan Day’s offenses have consistently produced high-level quarterback play by emphasizing efficiency, timing and decision-making. Vargas’ skill set aligns naturally with that philosophy.

He’s comfortable operating from the pocket, throws with excellent anticipation and displays the patience necessary to work through progressions rather than forcing plays.

Those qualities don’t always generate viral highlights, but they win football games.

Coach’s Take

Quarterback is about more than arm strength.

Christopher Vargas shows the poise, timing and decision-making that translate to winning football. Those traits are difficult to teach, which makes this a significant pickup for Ryan Day and the Buckeyes.

Ohio State didn’t just land a talented quarterback—they landed one whose skill set fits exactly what they want to do offensively.

Buckeye Film Breakdown will return soon with some fresh content.

28 days until kickoff! That means it’s time for another edition of The Men Behind the Numbers. We are 4 weeks away!!! Today, we follow the running back trend that started yesterday. Spoiler alert: today and the following 3 are all running backs too. Today’s subject was always going to have the last name Wells, but I had to pick Chris aka Beanie over Jonathan. Make no mistake though, they both could tote the rock.

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29 days until kickoff! That means it’s time for another edition of The Men Behind the Numbers. Pepe Pearson is one of those former players that is truly overlooked, and maybe even a little bit underrated. But, being the heir to Eddie George will have that effect.

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30 days until kickoff! That means it’s time for another edition of The Men Behind the Numbers. When you hear the name Bellisari, Greg isn’t the family member most think of. He may not have played qb like his brother, Steve, but Greg was a baller in his own right.

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We also discuss which Buckeyes stand to benefit the most from Arthur Smith’s offensive philosophy and each reveal one player that fans aren’t talking about enough—but absolutely should be. If you’re looking for the names that could go from role players to stars this fall, this is the episode for you.

31 days until kickoff! That means it’s time for another edition of The Men Behind the Numbers. I’ve talked about how easy some of these choices are, yet today might be the easiest. The number 31 has only been worn by 5 players since the beginning of Ohio State football. None more accomplished than Vic Janowicz. Janowicz became OSU’s second Heisman winner, but the first Heisman winner to go on to play in the MLB.

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