Ranking the top five 2026 Buckeyes heading into the bye week

Ohio State has never been short on talent, and the 2026 season has provided another opportunity for Ryan Day to showcase the depth of his roster. From established playmakers to new rising contributors, several players have stood out as the season has progressed.

Ranking the team’s top performers isn’t easy, outside of maybe an obvious name at the top. That being said, taking into account impact, potential, consistency and overall importance to the Buckeyes all factor into the conversation.

These are the five who have stood out the most in Ohio State’s 6-1 start to the season and heading into the bye week.

No. 5: Earl Little Jr. — Safety

Earl Little Jr. had impossibly large shoes to fill coming over to Ohio State, replacing one of the program’s best defensive players ever in Caleb Downs. While it would be incredibly unfair to Little Jr. to compare him to Downs or expect him to immediately match that level of play, the Florida State transfer has been about as good as the Buckeyes could have possibly expected.

The veteran safety has become an important part of a continually improving secondary, helping the defense handle opposing passing attacks while also providing support closer to the line of scrimmage in an effort to stop the run. Whether dropping back or playing down in the box, the defensive back has excelled.

Little Jr. quietly leads the Buckeyes with 38 tackles on the year, and is also tied for third with four pass breakups. It is no surprise to see him dominate in Columbus, coming off a 2025 season in which he led the Seminoles with 76 tackles — 28 more than the next-best player.

Little made his presence felt in Ohio State’s 19-15 win over Indiana, recovering a fumble and recording a team-high eight tackles. His performance demonstrated the value of having an experienced defender who can contribute when the Buckeyes match up against marquee opponents, even if he isn’t the flashiest player on the field.

With Ohio State relying on its defensive backs to help anchor the defense, Little’s versatility and physical style make him a valuable contributor. He may not receive the same attention as the team’s biggest stars, but his importance so far this season can’t be denied.

No. 4: Carson Hinzman — Center

Offensive linemen rarely receive the recognition that skill players enjoy, but Carson Hinzman’s importance to Ohio State’s offense shouldn’t be overlooked.

Entering his fourth year as a starter, Hinzman brings valuable experience, communication, and stability to the offensive line. As the starting center, he has responsibilities that extend beyond just winning his individual blocks.

Hinzman helps coordinate the offensive front, recognize defensive looks, and keeps the running and passing games operating smoothly — something that will be even more important now with Julian Sayin out. As one of the elder statesmen up front, his leadership of a unit that has been up-and-down so far this season will be critical as Ohio State enters this tough home stretch of the schedule.

It has been a long and winding road for Hinzman to this point. The lineman struggled mightily in his first season with the Buckeyes, and was benched in the 2023 Cotton Bowl after a controversial podcast appearance. Clearly in the dog house, it would have been easy for Hinzman to take the easy way out and hit the transfer portal.

Instead, the Wisconsin native stuck it out, and was rewarded with a national title in 2024, of which his offensive line unit was a key driving factor. Hinzman has improved year over year, and is now having his best season to date as the Buckeyes look to again raise the College Football Playoff trophy in the final year of the 12-team bracket just as they did in its inception.

His impact is not always obvious in the box score, but dependable offensive line play is essential to a successful offense. Ohio State is still lacking in that department overall, but Hinzman has not been the culprit.

No. 3: Jaylen McClain — Safety

Jaylen McClain has emerged as one of Ohio State’s most impactful defensive players.

Playing free safety, McClain has the responsibility of providing coverage over the top, limiting explosive plays and helping organize the defense from the back end.

His production has backed up his importance. McClain recorded eight tackles and four pass breakups earlier this season against Illinois. He also delivered eight tackles against Maryland before adding a sack and a forced fumble in the win over Indiana, which came in a huge spot on fourth down. McClain also nearly intercepted a pass agains the Hoosiers.

Overall, McClain leads Ohio State with two interceptions to go along with 32 total tackles, four pass breakups, one tackle for loss and a sack. The New Jersey native is building on his first year as a starter in 2025, where despite being overshadowed by the likes of Downs, Arvell Reese and Sonny Styles, McClain showcased his abilities as an excellent last line of defense.

McClain’s athleticism and football IQ allows him to contribute both in coverage and as a run defender, making him a particularly valuable piece of the secondary. His performances these last two weeks against Maryland and Indiana have been especially impressive, and Ohio State will need him to continue that hot stretch when they take on a dynamic passing offense at USC in a little over a week.

With several big time opponents on the horizon, McClain will have a chance to strengthen his case as one of the Big Ten’s most dependable defensive backs. His consistency and playmaking ability have really stood out in the Ohio State secondary.

No. 2: Jay Timmons — Cornerback

Speaking of guys standing out in the secondary, Jay Timmons has made a case for himself as one of Ohio State’s best overall players this season — and his career is just getting started.

It was a bit shocking at first to see a freshman earn at starting job at cornerback for the Buckeyes, but once games started being played it became immediately clear why he was able to quickly earn that level of trust with the coaching staff. Timmons’ combination of coverage skills, tackling ability and physicality are impressive, and he certainly does not shy away from competition.

Timmons’ performance against Indiana was a major highlight of his season. He finished with seven tackles, two pass breakups, and a forced fumble in Ohio State’s narrow victory. It was an especially performance given he was matched up against Charlie Becker, who is likely the No. 2 receiver in college football behind only Jeremiah Smith.

What makes Timmons particularly exciting is the level of energy he brings to the secondary. The DB has a sort of presence about him on the field that was sorely missed when he was out for a few weeks with an injury. You saw the immediately impact of his absence in the fourth quarter against Indiana, with the Buckeyes nearly letting up the lead through the air.

Timmons’ combination of aggressiveness, playmaking instincts, and early production makes him one of the Buckeyes’ most important players this season. The freshman has already shown that he can deliver in high-pressure situations, and his potential is through the roof.

There will be more tests to come, and there is no reason not to trust that Timmons will rise to the occasion.

No. 1: Jeremiah Smith — Wide Receiver

I’m sure we are all very shocked to see Jeremiah Smith at No. 1 here. He’s the best player at Ohio State, he’s the best player in college football, he’s the best player in the world.

The junior wide receiver has continued to establish himself as one of college football’s most dangerous offensive weapons, combining size, speed, body control and an ability to turn routine plays into game-changing moments.

Smith’s 2026 campaign has been extraordinary. Through Ohio State’s first seven games, he has put up 984 receiving yards and seven touchdowns on 52 receptions. He has rewritten the Buckeyes’ record books, now ranking No. 1 all-time in program history in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns, and he still has the rest of this season to continue to pad those stats.

Smith has continued to deliver when the Buckeyes have needed him most. Against Indiana, he caught four passes for 68 yards — a pedestrian mark by his standards — but he was responsible one way or another for both Ohio State touchdowns.

The 6-foot-4 receiver hauled in a 38-yard touchdown on a fourth-and-1 play early in the fourth quarter, which turned out to be the game-winning touchdown. However, Smith’s presence on the field also allowed the Buckeyes to score their only other touchdown of the contest, drawing four defenders away on the goal line to open it up for Bo Jackson’s 2-yard touchdown at the end of the first half.

Even when Smith’s overall numbers are more modest, his presence forces defenses to account for him on every play. There isn’t another player out there who demands attention respect from opponents like he does.

The only thing potentially in the way of a runaway Heisman campaign for Smith is Ohio State’s quarterback situation. Even without a clear picture of who will take over for Sayin the rest of the way, the former five-star remains the odds-on favorite to take home college football’s most prestigious individual honor.

With his record-setting career already placing him among Ohio State’s greatest players, there is obviously no debate over who has earned the Buckeyes’ No. 1 spot this season.

Is there anyone not included in our top five that has stood out to you? Let us know in the comments!