A roster full of new faces went through its first spring practice at Ohio State on Tuesday morning.
The 2026 Buckeyes, which include more than 50 new players from 2025, kicked off their first of 15 spring practices just before 8:30 a.m. Tuesday. Members of the media were permitted to watch the first hour of practice.
That hour didn’t bring any grand revelations about Ohio State’s depth chart, as most of the hour consisted of individual drills and situational work. But it gave us our first look at the Buckeyes’ new players as well as an updated look at the Buckeyes’ returning players who have bulked up and developed in winter workouts.
You can watch some highlights from the first practice in the video at the top of the page. Below are our initial observations from the Buckeyes’ first practice of the year.
Buckeyes passing the eye test
- We’ll start with Jeremiah Smith, who once again looks even bigger and stronger than he did a year ago. He has nothing to prove this spring, but it’s clear from his physical appearance alone that he’s been putting in work in winter workouts. During one rep in the red zone, Smith truck-sticked Jaylen McClain on a block – drawing an offensive pass interference penalty, but showing his power.
- De’zie Jones’ quickness stood out as he went through receiver drills and returned punts alongside Smith and Brandon Inniss. The redshirt freshman didn’t play any snaps during an injury-plagued first year as a Buckeye in 2025, but could be an up-and-coming receiver to watch this year, as Ryan Day said in January that Jones impressed during Ohio State’s practices for the College Football Playoff, in which he simulated Miami receiver Malachi Toney on the scout team.
- Simply put, Chris Henry Jr. does not look like someone who should still be a senior in high school. He’s got room to build on his frame at listed measurables of 6-foot-5 and 195 pounds, yet still stood out physically more than any receiver not named Jeremiah Smith.
- Anthony “Turbo” Rogers lived up to his nickname. Leading the running back line in individual drills with Bo Jackson and Isaiah West recovering from offseason shoulder surgeries, the redshirt freshman’s explosiveness off the handoff stood out in comparison to his peers.
- Florida transfer Ja’Kobi Jackson, listed at 5-foot-11 and 218 pounds, stood out as the most physically built running back.
- Sophomore cornerback Devin Sanchez looks like he’s developed significantly, both physically and technically, since last year. Looking bigger than he was a year ago, Sanchez was dominant in coverage during red zone passing drills, forcing incompletions with tight coverage on multiple passing attempts.
- James Smith, who’s listed at 6-foot-2 and 314 pounds, looks the part of a defensive tackle who’s been a starter at Alabama. The former five-star recruit immediately stood out as one of the Buckeyes’ most physically imposing defensive linemen.
- Freshman linebacker Braxton Rembert flashed in coverage during red zone work, forcing incompletions on back-to-back plays with tight coverage on tight ends Nate Roberts and Nick Lautar.
- Cincere Johnson is another freshman who doesn’t look like he should still be in high school. Wearing No. 20, it was easy to mistake the new linebacker for fellow Glenville product Arvell Reese. He showed well in coverage, forcing an incompletion with tight coverage on a route over the middle by Brandon Inniss.
- Sophomore linebacker TJ Alford started the red zone passing period with a nice pass breakup over the middle, swatting down a pass intended for tight end Max LeBlanc.
- Transfer linebacker Christian Alliegro made a pass breakup in coverage vs. freshman wide receiver Jerquaden Guilford.
Additional Notes
- Ohio State’s tight end depth was apparent during one sequence in red-zone passing drills where the Buckeyes threw four straight passes to tight ends – three of which resulted in touchdown catches for Roberts, Hunter Welcing and Mason Williams.
- Redshirt sophomore safety Leroy Roker III was chosen to address the team during its pre-practice huddle.
- Five-star 2027 defensive lineman Marcus Fakatou and Ohio State offensive line commit Kellen Wymer were among the recruits at practice.
- Former Ohio State players at practice included Pro Football Hall of Fame wide receiver Cris Carter, current NFL defensive ends Zach Harrison and Jalyn Holmes and offensive lineman Chase Farris.
