How much will Ohio State's most prominent starters fill up the stat sheet during the 2025 regular season?
Coming off a national championship, the Buckeyes are looking to reload – not rebuild – on their way to a potential repeat. With that, there is still a bunch of talent on OSU's roster, led by the best player in the country in Jeremiah Smith and arguably college football’s best defensive player in Caleb Downs.
With so many playmakers, both new and old, donning the scarlet and gray once again this fall, we came up with over/unders for many of the best Buckeyes that we believe could realistically go either way. We also predict whether the Ohio State player will hit the respective over or under.
(Note: Given the CFP and the fact that OSU's season could be between 12 and 17 games, these numbers are just for the 12 regular-season games.)
| PLAYER | OVER/UNDER | PREDICTION |
|---|---|---|
| JULIAN SAYIN | 3,299.5 PASSING YARDS | OVER |
| 30.5 PASSING TOUCHDOWNS | UNDER | |
| JAMES PEOPLES | 749.5 RUSHING YARDS | OVER |
| 7.5 RUSHING TOUCHDOWNS | OVER | |
| CJ DONALDSON | 699.5 RUSHING YARDS | UNDER |
| UNDER 7.5 RUSHING TOUCHDOWNS | UNDER | |
| JEREMIAH SMITH | 1,149.5 RECEIVING YARDS | OVER |
| 11.5 RECEIVING TOUCHDOWNS | OVER | |
| CARNELL TATE | 799.5 RECEIVING YARDS | OVER |
| 7.5 RECEIVING TOUDHDOWS | OVER | |
| BRANDON INNISS | 499.5 RECEIVING YARDS | UNDER |
| 4.5 RECEIVING TOUCHDOWNS | UNDER | |
| MAX KLARE | 499.5 RECEIVING YARDS | OVER |
| 4.5 RECEIVING TOUCHDOWNS | OVER | |
| KENYATTA JACKSON JR. | 4.5 SACKS | OVER |
| BEAU ATKINSON | 6.5 SACKS | UNDER |
| EDDRICK HOUSTON | 7.5 TACKLES FOR LOSS | OVER |
| KAYDEN MCDONALD | 7.5 TACKLES FOR LOSS | OVER |
| SONNY STYLES | 79.5 TACKLES | OVER |
| 9.5 TACKLES FOR LOSS | UNDER | |
| ARVELL REESE | 75.5 TACKLES | UNDER |
| 9.5 TACKLES FOR LOSS | OVER | |
| DAVISON IGBINOSUN | 2.5 INTERCEPTIONS | UNDER |
| CALEB DOWNS | 67.5 TACKLES | OVER |
| 2.5 INTERCEPTIONS | UNDER |
Julian Sayin
O/U: 3,299.5 passing yards, 30.5 passing touchdowns
Entering his first season leading the Buckeyes, there is plenty of weight on Sayin's shoulders at the most important position in football. The possibilities seem endless for the former No. 1 quarterback in the 2024 class, while there are also some questions, the first of which is his size. That said, with Ryan Day at the helm, no matter who the offensive coordinator is, OSU will always be in good hands behind center.
With that, 3,300 passing yards during the regular season could be questioned by some, but think of who Sayin will be throwing to, their respective receiving stats, and then add those up in your head. Suddenly, 3,300 yards doesn't seem like that much of a feat and might even be a little low. Add in that Ohio State will likely be a more pass-heavy offense this season compared to 2024, given the weapons on the outside, having a starting quarterback who isn't known to be a runner, and without two of the best running backs in college football last year, and it all adds up.
For comparison's sake, during the regular season last fall, Will Howard completed 227-of-314 passes ( 72.3%) for 2,860 yards and 27 touchdowns before going on a four-game tear through the CFP. It's the first time an OSU quarterback has thrown for fewer than 3,000 yards in a 12-game regular season since 2016, when J.T. Barrett threw for 2,555 yards.
Prediction: Over 3,299.5 passing yards, Under 30.5 passing touchdowns
James Peoples
O/U: 749.5 rushing yards, 7.5 touchdowns
Many have said that Peoples could have played more last season as a freshman if it wasn't for two second-round draft picks in front of him on the depth chart. That said, he will certainly get his chance to prove that in 2025.
While it will be yet another one-two punch at running back for the Buckeyes, with Peoples and West Virginia transfer CJ Donaldson leading the charge, look for Peoples to have a breakout season. How many rushing yards will be included in that type of season for the first-year starter?
Before 2024, the last time OSU didn't have a running back rush for more than 830 yards was in 2011, when Braxton Miller led the way with 715 rushing yards, followed by Dan Herron (675), Carlos Hyde (566), and Jordan Hall (408). Given the amount of depth in Carlos Locklyn's group entering this season, that could very well be the case once again.
Prediction: Over 749.5 rushing yards, Over 7.5 touchdowns
CJ Donaldson
O/U: 699.5 rushing yards, 7.5 rushing touchdowns
Having shed 20 pounds since he arrived in Columbus this offseason, Donaldson's truck-sticking ability to run someone over hasn't left him, even though he is faster than he was a season ago. With that, he is in line for his best season yet, even in a backfield timeshare. After running for 2,058 yards in Morgantown over the last three seasons, the former Mountaineer seems to be in the best shape of his life and will be more of an RB1a than an RB2 with Peoples this year, much like Quinshon Judkins was to TreVeyon Henderson last season.
Will Donaldson eclipse the 700-yard mark and score double-digit touchdowns on the ground for the third consecutive year in the regular season? My money says no – that way he will be just as fresh in December as he is entering his first season as a Buckeye. Part of that is prediction is because there's a good chance Bo Jackson and/or Turbo Rogers could get some time at running back as well, as both freshmen have already shown off their playmaking ability in their first offseason at Ohio State.
Prediction: Under 699.5 rushing yards, Under 7.5 rushing touchdowns
Jeremiah Smith
O/U: 1,149.5 receiving yards, 11.5 touchdowns
The sky is truly the limit for the best player in college football, and even that might be holding him back.
Smith broke several Ohio State records last season, totaling 934 yards and 10 touchdowns as a freshman. Now bigger, stronger, faster, and better than he was a season ago, his projections for the 2025 campaign are tough to compute, not because of him, but because there's a good chance that defenses will come up with try to game plan just to stop the 6-foot-3, 223-pound wideout, even if it means leaving other receivers open. Even then, though, Smith is good enough to find a way to make plays.
With that in mind, taking the over for his stat categories is the only right thing to do, no matter how high those projections might be.
Prediction: Over 1,149.5 receiving yards, Over 11.5 touchdowns
Carnell Tate
O/U: 799.5 receiving yards, 7.5 receiving touchdowns
Smith will get his. Tate will also get his. But as Ohio State's WR2 in yet another loaded group of receivers, including tight ends, what kind of numbers will Tate be able to put up?
With all the attention that will be shown toward Smith, that should give Tate plenty of favorable matchups and coverages to work with. The problem for Tate (and it's a good problem to have for OSU): Other Ohio State receivers will also have those favorable matchups. That said, Tate looks like the next first-round pick in Brian Hartline's group, so he seems to be in line for his best season yet as a Buckeye after notching 733 receiving yards a season ago.
Prediction: Over 799.5 receiving yards, Over 7.5 receiving touchdowns
Brandon Inniss
O/U: 499.5 receiving yards, 4.5 receiving touchdowns
Behind so much talent during his first two seasons at Ohio State, Inniss will have an increased role this year. That said, he will still be behind Smith and Tate on the depth chart and the WR3 now has one of the nation’s best tight ends in Purdue transfer Max Klare to also compete with for catches and yards. That and all the other five-star wideouts in Hartline's room.
After combining for only 234 receiving yards over the last two seasons, Inniss' production for the upcoming season is one of the biggest question marks in the receiver group – not because he doesn't have the talent, but simply due to how many opportunities he might receive because there are so many very talented players to feed while only having one football.
Since 2018, the Ohio State player with the third-most receiving yards has surpassed the 500-yard mark. That seems to be a good number to put Inniss at this season. Inniss has a good chance to do that this year; it'll just come down to whether he will receive enough opportunities, given that Klare and the rest of the tight ends will have their fair share of catches as well.
Prediction: Under 499.5 receiving yards, Under 4.5 receiving touchdowns
Max Klare
O/U: 499.5 receiving yards, 4.5 receiving touchdowns
Although Purdue finished 1-11 in 2024, Klare was able to show off his playmaking ability throughout the season, totaling 51 catches for 685 yards and four touchdowns.
In Ohio State's storied history, it has had just five tight ends reach the 500-yard mark in a single season: Bob Grimes (534 in 1952), Billy Anders (671 in 1966), John Frank (641 in 1983), Rickey Dudley (575 in 1995) and Cade Stover (576 in 2023).
While the Buckeyes aren't known for using their tight end too often, especially since Brian Hartline started bringing in so many five-star wide receivers, look for Klare to be an outstanding playmaker and security blanket for Sayin, specifically early on for the first-year starting quarterback.
Klare will have one of the best seasons for a tight end in OSU history.
Prediction: Over 499.5 receiving yards, Over 4.5 receiving touchdowns
Kenyatta Jackson Jr.
O/U: 4.5 sacks
With first-year defensive coordinator Matt Patricia this season, there are plenty of unknowns going into 2025. That, paired with all of the talents that Ohio State must replace on that side of the ball following its national championship run, makes it tough to project how certain players will show up in the box score, especially up front.
Add in that the Buckeyes will likely rotate at defensive end, at least early on, with Jackson, Beau Atkinson, Caden Curry and C.J. Hicks leading the charge, and that makes stat predictions even tougher.
That said, Jackson has been praised throughout the offseason by both his peers and his coaches, and it seems like the fourth-year defensive end is finally set to make a huge impact for the Buckeyes.
Will he be able to match JT Tuimoloau (six sacks) or Jack Saywer (4.5) in terms of sack production last regular season? Six could be a tough number to reach given the scheme and projected rotation at the position, but four sacks seems like a good number to set it at. And with that, look for Jackson to reach that number and make a name for himself early and often.
Prediction: Over 4.5 sacks
Beau Atkinson
O/U: 5.5 sacks
One of the best defensive ends in the portal this offseason, Atkinson notched 7.5 sacks in 2024 at North Carolina after having 3.5 sacks the year prior.
That number will likely decrease this season due to the projected rotation at defensive end, but the third-year standout on the defensive line should still have plenty of opportunities to sack the opposing quarterback.
Look for Atkinson to Jackson to compete to be the sack leader for OSU this season, and the former Tar Heel will finish with 4.5 or five sacks during the regular season, similar to Sawyer in 2024.
Prediction: Under 5.5 sacks
Eddrick Houston
O/U: 7.5 tackles for loss
After transitioning from defensive end to defensive tackle as a freshman last season, Houston will look to prove his worth in the middle of OSU's defensive line this fall, as he and Kayden McDonald are by far the Buckeyes' two best defensive tackles entering the 2025 season.
Over the last four seasons, only one defensive tackle has secured double-digit tackles for loss in a single season: Tyleik Williams (10 in 2023).
Houston and McDonald certainly have the skill set and will receive the allotted number of snaps to do so this fall. Houston’s health could be a factor after he suffered a knee injury on the first day of preseason camp, but he’s expected to be back on the field for the season opener against Texas.
While 10 tackles for loss might be a bit tough to achieve, especially given that the defense will also have players such as Sonny Styles and Caleb Downs in the opponents' backfield along with the defensive line, look for Houston to notch around eight tackles for loss this season.
Prediction: Over 7.5 tackles for loss
Kayden McDonald
O/U: 7.5 tackles for loss
Much like the reasons given for Houston above, it should be a season-long battle between Houston and McDonald to see who finishes with the most tackles for loss at season's end. Look for both players to top 7.5 TFLs for the season.
Prediction: Over 7.5 tackles for loss
Sonny Styles
O/U: 79.5 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss
The Block O recipient. One of four captains for the 2025 season and the one who received the most votes. Entering his second season as a full-time starter at linebacker.
All of that is to say that Styles is set up to have his best season yet. Leading a linebacker room that also consists of Arvell Reese and Payton Pierce, among others, the group is expected to make quite an impact in Patricia's defense.
Styles led the team during the 2024 regular season with 76 tackles and that number (and his impact) will only increase this season, given his frame, playmaking ability, and experience. Styles will also look to top his 6.5 tackles for loss during last year’s regular season after recording four TFLs in the CFP.
I’m predicting 80-plus tackles but fewer than 10 tackles for loss for Styles, given that Reese will likely be the one who blitzes more often, while Styles’ versatility and athleticism are used in coverage when needed.
Prediction: Over 79.5 tackles, Under 9.5 tackles for loss
Arvell Reese
O/U: 75.5 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss
Reese quickly made a name for himself last season as the third linebacker behind Simon and Styles. Now, he has an opportunity to show off his freakish athleticism as a first-year starter. The junior seems to have all of the right tools to be the next dominant linebacker as a Buckeye.
Learning from James Laurinaitis will only improve his game, and as he gains more experience, Reese will become more comfortable as Ohio State’s starting Mike linebacker.
Reese will finish second on the team in tackles but have a little less than 75 during the regular season, though he’ll accumulate more than 10 tackles for loss.
Prediction: Under 75.5 tackles, Over 9.5 tackles for loss
Davison Igbinosun
O/U: 2.5 interceptions
With Denzel Burke taking his talents to the NFL, Igbinosun will enter the 2025 season as Ohio State's CB1. If he can cut down on penalties, the senior could be one of the best cornerbacks in college football.
That said, after he and Burke led the Buckeyes with two interceptions each last season, I look for Igbinosun to match but not exceed that number this year.
Prediction: Under 2.5 interceptions
Caleb Downs
O/U: 67.5 tackles, 2.5 interceptions
The do-it-safety flourished in his first season in Columbus, finishing with 62 tackles (6.5 tackles for loss) and an interception in 2024. Downs moved all over the field, especially later in the season as Ohio State changed up its defensive scheme and began playing Downs closer to the line of scrimmage in some situations.
Look for Matt Patricia to continue moving Downs around the defense and give him abundant playmaking opportunities this season. Not only because it seemed to unlock something and take the Buckeyes' defense to another level late last season, but because Downs has another year of experience under his belt.
He will finish third on the team again in tackles with right around 70 during the regular season, and we’ll project he makes two interceptions during the 12-game slate.
Prediction: Over 67.5 tackles, Under 2.5 interceptions
