Buckeye Film Breakdown: Podcast

The Buckeye Film Breakdown Podcast | Ranking the Roster

Coach Slater — Fri, 29 May 2026 04:52:02 GMT

The 2026 Ohio State roster is loaded with talent, but not all talent carries the same value.

In this episode of the Buckeye Film Breakdown Podcast, we’re putting together our Top 10 players on Ohio State’s roster and debating every spot along the way. From proven stars to rising playmakers, we’re examining who gives the Buckeyes the best chance to compete for another Big Ten title and College Football Playoff berth.

Where does Julian Sayin rank entering his first season as the full-time starter? Is Jeremiah Smith still the unquestioned No. 1 player in college football? Which defensive stars deserve a place near the top? And who are the players that could make the biggest jump by season’s end?

We’ll discuss:

Our individual Top 10 rankings
The hardest players to place
The biggest disagreements on our lists
The most underrated player on the roster
Who could emerge as Ohio State’s next superstar
Which players are most critical to a championship run

Talent. Production. Projection. Value.

It’s time to rank the roster.

The Horseshoe Index Part Two

Coach Slater — Fri, 22 May 2026 04:07:52 GMT

Everybody evaluates rosters. Depth charts, stars, rankings — that’s surface level.

This is about value across the full lifecycle.

The Horseshoe Index tracks Ohio State’s roster like a market — not just who produces on Saturdays, but who’s building toward Sundays.

Because in today’s game, projection doesn’t stop at college football.
It extends to NFL translation, draft capital, and long-term return.

You’ve got proven assets with NFL floors.
You’ve got rising players whose value is accelerating inside the system.
You’ve got undervalued pieces that drive winning now and project forward.
And you’ve got high-variance investments with real Sunday upside.

This isn’t just about who’s good today.

It’s about:

who sustains value
who develops into NFL players
and who becomes the next market mover at the highest level

In todays episode, we take stock in the Sliver Bullets.

The Cost of Chaos | Ryan Day with Josh Pate

Coach Slater — Wed, 20 May 2026 04:33:54 GMT

Ryan Day sat down with Josh Pate for a wide-ranging conversation that went far beyond football strategy. What unfolded was a deep look into the current state of college football — NIL, the transfer portal, recruiting, playoff expansion, roster management, leadership, culture, and the pressure that comes with leading one of the biggest brands in sports.

Throughout the conversation, Day repeatedly returned to one central idea: everything in modern college football is connected. The portal impacts recruiting. NIL impacts locker rooms. Playoff expansion impacts roster management. Coaching movement impacts player development. It’s no longer one issue at a time — it’s an ecosystem of constant change.

Day also opened up about the responsibility coaches now have in helping players manage money, expectations, and life beyond football, while emphasizing that Ohio State’s culture cannot become centered around individual brands or NIL numbers. The standard, according to Day, still starts with the Block O and what it means to represent Ohio State.

We also break down Day’s comments on transfer portal evaluation, leadership development, why summer remains the most transformational period for a team, and the subtle but significant changes Ohio State made in preparation for The Game last season.

From Arthur Smith and Matt Patricia bringing NFL structure into the building to Day’s belief that this year’s Buckeyes will have to win games in the fourth quarter, this conversation provided one of the clearest looks yet into how Ohio State is trying to navigate the future of college football without losing its identity along the way.

The Horseshoe Index

Coach Slater — Fri, 15 May 2026 04:58:09 GMT

Everybody evaluates rosters. Depth charts, stars, rankings — that’s surface level.

This is about value across the full lifecycle.

The Horseshoe Index tracks Ohio State’s roster like a market — not just who produces on Saturdays, but who’s building toward Sundays.

Because in today’s game, projection doesn’t stop at college football.
It extends to NFL translation, draft capital, and long-term return.

This isn’t just about who’s good today.

It’s about:

who sustains value
who develops into NFL players
and who becomes the next market mover at the highest level

Because the best programs don’t just build rosters.

They build pipelines.

And at Ohio State…
that pipeline continues to produce one of the strongest portfolios in football — from the Horseshoe to the NFL.

Year Two: Julian Sayin’s Next Step

Coach Slater — Thu, 14 May 2026 04:46:50 GMT

This episode centers on the next phase for Julian Sayin—and what year two as the starter truly demands.

The conversation goes beyond talent. It’s about command, consistency, and owning the offense from snap to snap. From pre-snap identification to post-snap decision-making, the expectation shifts from managing the game to controlling it. Leadership in th…

Spring Injury Setbacks: Should We Be Concerned?

Coach Slater — Tue, 12 May 2026 04:00:25 GMT

This episode focuses on the impact of spring injuries across two critical position groups—offensive line and running back—and what it means moving forward.

The fellas break down who was out, how it affected reps and development, and whether this is something to be concerned about or simply part of spring football. There’s a real conversation around depth, missed opportunities, and how these absences shape the evaluation of the roster.

As the Buckeyes head into the summer, the question becomes clear—are these injuries a setback, or did they create valuable opportunities for others to step up?

Is a 24-Team CFP the Next Step?

Coach Slater — Thu, 07 May 2026 04:09:03 GMT

Join the fellas as they discuss the momentum that is building around the idea of expanding the College Football Playoff to 24 teams, and it’s not just talk—it’s a reflection of where the sport is headed. More teams mean more access, but it also means more inventory, more revenue, and more control over the calendar.

For decision-makers, it’s about scalin…

Ohio State: The Standard in College Football

Coach Slater — Tue, 05 May 2026 04:21:41 GMT

In this episode, the conversation centers on the bigger picture of Ohio State football and why Josh Pate views the Buckeyes as the top program in the country.

This isn’t about a single season—it’s about how everything is aligned. From leadership to roster construction, from resources to development, Ohio State operates with a level of infrastructure that…

Buckeyes Draft Weekend + In State 2027 OL Commits

Coach Slater — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 05:44:49 GMT

This episode centers on a big-time weekend for Ohio State football, starting with a record-setting NFL Draft that once again showcased the program’s ability to develop and send talent to the next level. The fellas break down what stood out from the draft and what it says about the current state of the Buckeyes.

They also shift to the future, as Ohio Stat…

Buckeyes to the League: Draft Breakdown with Jake Burns & Coach Slate

Coach Slater — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 14:34:56 GMT

Coach Slate joins Jake Burns of Browns Film Breakdown for a deep dive into Ohio State’s NFL Draft prospects from a true film perspective. This conversation is all about what translates—traits, versatility, and how these Buckeyes project at the next level.

The fellas break down key names, discuss scheme fits, and evaluate where these players could land as teams look to maximize their skill sets. If you want real insight into how Ohio State talent stacks up heading into the draft, this is the episode.

Spring Game Recap Part 2: Standouts + Draft Talk

Jeremy Combs — Wed, 22 Apr 2026 04:26:19 GMT

Coach Slate is back, and the fellas jump right into a full spring game recap from a coach’s lens. It starts with a position-by-position breakdown—who showed up offensively, who made plays defensively, and who stacked reps when it mattered most.

They also dive into the tone of the game—how physical it really was, what that says about the culture being built, and how it translates heading into the summer.

To close it out, they hit on some quick NFL Draft discussion, where things stand for Ohio State guys, and what to watch as the next level comes into focus.

Spring Game Recap

Jeremy Combs — Sun, 19 Apr 2026 18:03:10 GMT

Jeremy rides solo for this one, starting with a full position-by-position breakdown of the spring game. Who looked comfortable, who flashed, and who stacked consistent reps when it mattered.

From there, he dives into how Arthur Smith’s influence is starting to show up—structure, tempo, and the early identity of this offense.

To close it out, Jeremy highlights the key standouts and what it all means as the Buckeyes head into the summer.

Trenches Taking Shape + Spring Game Standouts

Coach Slater — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 07:01:57 GMT

This episode starts up front as Tyler Bowen gives insight into where the offensive line is heading. Even with Austin Siereveld and Phillip Daniels out this spring, there’s confidence in the group—and real value in the reps being gained. We also dive deeper into Ian Moore and the development he’s shown with increased opportunity, along with what that means for the overall unit as it looks to find its best five.

Bowen emphasized versatility across the line, with multiple players capable of sliding inside or outside, while the run game identity under Arthur Smith continues to take shape.

Defensively, the line continues to generate buzz this spring with players like Beau Atkinson and Eddrick Houston making an impact.

We also touch on Chris Henry Jr. losing his black stripe, and close with Jeremy and Slate’s takes on who they expect to stand out heading into the spring game.

Coach Day Press Conference Takeaways

Coach Slater — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 08:42:52 GMT

This episode centers around what Ryan Day laid out in his latest presser as Ohio State heads into the final week of spring. The message is clear—this is about evaluation. Who can be trusted, who can handle live reps, and who is ready to separate when it matters.

You’re starting to see that across the roster. The offensive line is still taking shape with …

Different Standard | Transfers See the Edge, Black Stripes Follow

Coach Slater — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 04:27:48 GMT

The standard is different in Columbus—and the guys who’ve been elsewhere are saying it out loud. Transfers coming from places like Alabama Crimson Tide football are seeing a level of day-to-day competition inside Ohio State Buckeyes football that separates, from the weight room to the practice field. It’s constant pressure, constant accountability, and …

Spring Checkpoint | What Ryan Day is Seeing After 9 Practices

Coach Slater — Tue, 07 Apr 2026 05:53:39 GMT

After nine spring practices, Ryan Day gave one of the clearest evaluations yet of where this team stands. The message is consistent—competition across the roster, young players being forced to grow up fast, and key positions starting to take shape.

From Julian Sayin taking command of the offense, to a deep and competitive corner room featuring Devin Sanc…

Spring Practice Report

Coach Slater — Fri, 03 Apr 2026 04:59:41 GMT

Jake jumps on with the guys to break down Coach Slate’s first-hand observations from inside his visits to the Woody — what’s real, what’s noise, and what’s starting to take shape through seven spring sessions. We get into the details that matter: who’s stacking consistent days, where competition is tightening, and which position groups are starting to d…

Black Stripe Alerts + OSU Practice Banter

Coach Slater — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 04:31:13 GMT

This episode is all about movement inside the program — earned, not given. We break down the latest black stripe removals and what they signal about trust, readiness, and where certain guys stand in the pecking order right now. No fluff — just what it means in the room and how it translates to Saturdays.

Then we shift forward. With Coach Slate heading in…

Back in the Building | Buckeyes Return + Program Updates

Coach Slater — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 04:59:49 GMT

The break is over — and now the program starts to come back into focus.

This is one of those windows where everything intersects. You’ve got Gold Pants being handed out, reinforcing the standard and what it means to win here. You’ve got Pro Day approaching, where the next wave of NFL Buckeyes steps into the spotlight and the standard gets evaluated at th…

Week Two | Back From Break and Back to Work

Coach Slater — Sat, 21 Mar 2026 04:06:09 GMT

The Buckeyes are just getting back from spring break and we are heading into week two of practice. Things are starting to pick up around the Woody — the installation is in, the reps are adding up, and we’re starting to get some real answers to some real questions.

Today we’re gonna talk about what this second week actually looks like, what the staff is z…