With 51 new players on Ohio State's roster in 2026, this season's spring practice will feature a lot of veterans adjusting to new players, new coaches and general newness.
Quarterback Julian Sayin is working to improve as a runner, while new transfer wide receivers Devin McCuin and Kyle Parker bring a lot of speed and excitement, he said. Sayin will also have an expanded role leading the offense and calling plays, stating that he's been given more responsibility making checks at the line of scrimmage.
Defensive end Kenyatta Jackson Jr. also met with the media on Thursday and said that new edge rusher Qua Russaw is standing out with his strength and speed. Another potential new starter, Zion Grady, has “all the assets” of a great defensive end. Jackson and Sayin each dove into further detail about all that's new around Ohio State this spring.
Julian Sayin
- On how he's preparing to be more of a weapon with his legs: "I've done a lot of stuff with Coach Mick this offseason of getting stronger, getting more powerful."
- Sayin said he's enjoyed welcoming all the new players for Ohio State. "It's been a fun offseason getting to know these guys ... I think we compete well together ... I think it'll be a good group."
- On Arthur Smith as Ohio State's offensive coordinator: "Obviously a great offensive coordinator in the NFL and someone I can learn a lot from. ... It's been great. I love working with him."
- On being good against the blitz: "I think it's just having a good feel for the pocket."
- On new wide receivers Devin McCuin, Kyle Parker and Chris Henry Jr.: "Devin and Kyle, it's been great to have those guys as transfers. ... Both those guys have a lot of speed, so I'm excited about them. ... Chris has been great so far. For a freshman, he's been making a lot of great plays."
- Sayin said there's been a bigger emphasis on him making checks at the line of scrimmage and having more say in the offense this season. "I think we've done a lot giving the quarterback more responsibility at the line of scrimmage the last few days." Sayin said it's also been about him taking on more of a leadership role and coaching up some of the younger guys.
- On the perspective Smith has brought: "As a quarterback, you're gonna have to learn new offenses and learn new verbiage and stuff like that, so it's been great to see that new perspective."
- Sayin said there's "not too much different" that Smith is bringing to Ohio State's offense.
- On his biggest areas of focus this offseason: "There's so many things I can improve on and just keep elevating my game. ... It's been a very fun offseason, because there's so many things that we did good last year but can be so much better. ... It's been encouraging to chase those."
- Sayin and Jeremiah Smith enter their third year together as leaders of the program. "We've been working to get even better on the field and know what each other is thinking."
- On the offensive line: "Have a great relationship with those guys. ... Having that with the room has been awesome."
- On his conversations with Matt Patricia: "Have a good relationship with him. ... He's been someone who's been impactful on me because of the knowledge of the game and experience that he has."
- Sayin said his new beard probably won't be permanent, though Austin Siereveld and Luke Montgomery want him to keep growing it.
- Sayin said he's added five or 10 pounds this offseason.
Kenyatta Jackson Jr.
- On his decision to come back: "I came back to be a more complete football player. ... I've taken that leadership role with more guys in the room. I've just taken them in and shown them the ropes of Ohio State football."
- "Everybody" has made an impression among the new players in the defensive line room, but especially the new defensive tackles James Smith and John Walker.
- Jackson said he switched to No. 2 because it was his high school number.
- Becoming stronger, more explosive and developing his pass rush are offseason focuses for Jackson.
- After dealing with some injuries, Jackson said self-doubt limited him early in the season, but he played better as he got more comfortable. "Late in the season, I just trusted myself."
- On freshman defensive end Khary Wilder: "Real quiet, but he keeps his head down and he works real hard."
- On his leadership role: "I'm pretty comfortable. It's still hard, I mean we've got 51 new players. ... I've been here for a very long time and I know what the standard is."
- Jackson said that there's an edge for Ohio State's returning players after how last season ended, but there's also a lot of new guys to get into the flow of things. "The people that have been here, we have an edge, but trying to get those 51 new guys to tap into what we're trying to do."
- On sophomore defensive end Zion Grady: "He's been taking his weight room and conditioning, training pretty seriously. He's got all the assets, all the tools."
- Jackson didn't indicate a strong preference for any certain role. "Whatever Coach Patricia puts me in, whatever he wants me to do, I'll do."
- On the impression he wants Ohio State's defensive line to leave on people: "The hardest, toughest unit in the country. That's what I want people to say about this defensive line."
- Jackson said new Alabama transfer defensive end Qua Russaw looks strong and quick in practice, and added that it's awkward having the two veteran leaders of the room be naturally quieter guys – but they make it work.
