Ohio State is back in the Horseshoe.
After winter workouts with strength coach Mick Marotti and spring practices with head coach Ryan Day, 51 new players will play in Ohio Stadium for the first time as Buckeyes, joining stars Julian Sayin and Jeremiah Smith in an intrasquad scrimmage.
The Eleven Warriors staff has written plenty of articles about the Buckeyes this spring, and many of them will be featured below to prime you for Saturday's action. We'll also keep this article fresh with live updates featuring sights and sounds from the banks of the Olentangy River as Ohio State's offense and defense battle in the offseason exhibition.
APRIL 18, 2026
Day, Sayin and Jackson Recap Spring Game
Ryan Day, Julian Sayin and Kenyatta Jackson Jr. met with the media after the spring game. Day said Earl Little Jr. underwent a cleanup procedure on his knee while Sayin said Chris Henry Jr. has “done a really good job” this spring.
APRIL 18, 2026
Defense Wins Spring Game, 35-26
Ohio State's defense bested its offense on the scoreboard in the Buckeyes' 2026 spring game, winning 35-26. We've got a recap featuring highlights.
APRIL 18, 2025
Luke Fahey Makes a House Call
Freshman quarterback Luke Fahey capped off the spring game with a long touchdown run. While an Ohio State defender ran near him about halfway to the end zone, the referees let the play continue, resulting in six points for Team Scarlet.
Fahey takes it all the way for six!
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) April 18, 2026
Big Ten Network pic.twitter.com/vpMkbeCwtO
APRIL 18, 2025
Tavien St. Clair Hits Chris Henry Jr. on a 40-Yard Touchdown Bomb
St. Clair and Henry connected on their second big play of the first quarter when Henry snuck behind freshman cornerback Jordan Thomas and St. Clair hit him in stride for a 40-yard score up the sideline.
TSC to CHJ for six
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) April 18, 2026
Big Ten Network pic.twitter.com/OPow9dkZta
APRIL 18, 2025
Beau Atkinson Intercepts Pass Tipped by Will Smith Jr.
Defensive tackle Will Smith Jr. and defensive end Beau Atkinson connected for the first takeaway collected by Ohio State's defense, with Smith tipping a Sayin pass that Atkinson clutched in the air while contested by an offensive lineman.
APRIL 18, 2025
Connor Hawkins Nails 46-Yard Field Goal
Ohio Stadium, eager for a better kicking game in 2026, erupted in cheers when Baylor transfer kicker Connor Hawkins nailed a 46-yard field goal, splitting the uprights from the left hash.
Hawkins gets 3 on the board @connor_hawk1ns | #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/TOBKKUvJlz
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) April 18, 2026
APRIL 18, 2025
Tavien St. Clair Connects on Gorgeous Dime to Chris Henry Jr.
The talented young pieces of Ohio State's passing attack connected for an incredible passing play in the first quarter, with St. Clair throwing across his body for a 41-yard dart that Henry leaped to snag. It set up a field goal for the offense.
Welcome to The 'Shoe Chris Henry Jr @ChrisHenryJr | #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/0NS178pHbn
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) April 18, 2026
APRIL 18, 2025
Scoring Format
The 2026 spring game will not feature the traditional structure of a regular season or postseason contest. Instead, Ohio State's offense will wear scarlet and Ohio State's defense will wear white as the two sides of the ball face off with a modified scoring format.
The offense will score as normal – touchdowns, extra points, and field goals. However, the defense can score points in several ways:
- Touchdown: 6 points (extra point goes to the defense, as well)
- Takeaway: 3 points
- Three and out: 3 points
- Sack: 2 points
- Forced Punt: 1 point
Sights and Sounds
— Eleven Warriors (@11W) April 18, 2026
head coach. https://t.co/uZKQCuRsZP
— Eleven Warriors (@11W) April 18, 2026
Almost that time https://t.co/wOwIZuNSqb
— Eleven Warriors (@11W) April 18, 2026
Those sleeves https://t.co/wAJNFH4dfT
— Eleven Warriors (@11W) April 18, 2026
boys. https://t.co/OHVLdt809r
— Eleven Warriors (@11W) April 18, 2026
JOE THOMAS BARRETT https://t.co/RmzRqLsymm
— Eleven Warriors (@11W) April 18, 2026
World Famous Ohio State Buckeyes. https://t.co/I5Gjh6nCZb
— Eleven Warriors (@11W) April 18, 2026
Videos
Stories
APRIL 17, 2026
Last Call: Spring Game
We break down the biggest questions, highlight the top players to watch and make some predictions for what we’ll see in Ohio State’s spring game on Saturday.
APRIL 17, 2026
Spring Game Preview
Position battles on the defensive line, at safety, wide receiver and tight end will get another data point in Ohio State's spring game, while Earl Little Jr. is among the top players to watch.
APRIL 17, 2026
Spring Practice Observations
Terry Moore and Dominick Kelly played big roles in the secondary, Sam Greer got a first-team look at right tackle and Nolan Baudo made the play of the day in Friday’s practice.
APRIL 16, 2026
JSN to Ring Victory Bell for Spring Game
Former Ohio State standout and Super Bowl champion Jaxon Smith-Njigba is set to serve as the honorary Victory Bell ringer for the Buckeyes’ upcoming spring game.
APRIL 16, 2026
Eddrick Houston in Better Mental, Physical Shape
Several roadblocks kept Eddrick Houston from tapping deeper into his potential in 2025, but he's back with a better mentality and physical shape, ready to emerge as a star in 2026.
APRIL 15, 2026
Ian Moore Making Push for Starting Job
Currently practicing as Ohio State’s top left tackle with Austin Siereveld sidelined, Ian Moore is making his case for a starting job on the Buckeyes’ offensive line this season.
APRIL 15, 2026
Nate Roberts Ready for Potential TE1 Role
Nate Roberts is challenging to be Ohio State's No. 1 tight end after taking “quite a bit of a step” this offseason, building off his experience at fullback as a freshman.
APRIL 14, 2026
Devin Sanchez's Confidence Soaring
After struggling with his confidence as a freshman, Devin Sanchez has found his groove this offseason and expects to be one of college football’s top cornerbacks as a sophomore.
APRIL 10, 2026
Jaylen McClain Taking Up Leadership Mantle
As one of Ohio State's few returning starters on defense in 2026, Jaylen McClain is stepping out of his comfort zone to embrace a vocal leadership role.
APRIL 9, 2026
Ja'Kobi Jackson Seeking Strong Seventh-Year Finish
Granted the chance to play a rare seventh year of college football after a season-ending shoulder injury in 2025, Florida running back transfer Ja’Kobi Jackson is excited to be a Buckeye.
APRIL 8, 2026
Devin McCuin Here to Compete
The move from UTSA to Ohio State has been an adjustment in more ways than one for Devin McCuin, but he's shown to be capable and eager to compete for a starting receiver job.
APRIL 10, 2026
Kyle Parker Wants to “Bring Light to Everybody”
Kyle Parker strives to make a big impact on and off the field at Ohio State as the new Buckeye wide receiver plays in memory of his former LSU teammate Kyren Lacy.
