Ohio State made history this week. They became the first team to win a national title through the new 12-team playoff format, celebrating this achievement with around 30,000 fans at Ohio Stadium. Despite chilly 30-degree weather, Buckeyes supporters turned out in force to welcome home a team that defeated five top-10 opponents on their path to glory.
The journey included significant wins against Oregon in the Rose Bowl, Texas in the Cotton Bowl, and Notre Dame in the national championship game. Coach Ryan Day expressed his gratitude to the fans, saying, “It took everybody to become national champions, and today we say thank you.”
What’s impressive is that Ohio State only trailed for six minutes total during 240 minutes of game time in the playoffs. They consistently won their matches by double digits, proving their dominance. This victory comes after overcoming a challenging regular season that included a loss to rival Michigan. That game sparked some calls for a coaching change, but the Buckeyes have now silenced the critics.
Defensive end Jack Sawyer, who scored a critical touchdown during the Texas game, spoke at the celebration. He highlighted the team’s resilience: “You get punched in the mouth, you always get back up and keep fighting. That’s what everybody in Ohio does.”
However, the celebration also marks a period of change for the team. Athletic director Ross Bjork mentioned plans to secure Coach Day’s future, while reports also surfaced that defensive coordinator Jim Knowles is moving to Penn State.
As the team looks ahead, they face the reality of losing many key players. Thirteen of the 22 starters in the playoffs are out of eligibility. Notable players seeking NFL spots include quarterback Will Howard and team leaders like Sawyer, running back TreVeyon Henderson, wide receiver Emeka Egbuka, and linebacker Cody Simon. Some players, like running back Quinshon Judkins and cornerback Jordan Hancock, are declaring for the draft.
Despite these changes, Ohio State’s future looks bright. Redshirt freshman quarterback Julian Sayin is set to take over and will have talented receivers like Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate returning. Additionally, Ohio State has brought in key transfers, including running back CJ Donaldson from West Virginia and tight end Max Klare from Purdue.
On defense, All-American safety Caleb Downs isn’t eligible for the draft yet, and veterans Sonny Styles and Davison Igbinosun will return for another season, adding strength to the lineup.
The Buckeyes have built a solid foundation and will continue to be a force in college football.
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