Ohio State’s splash in the transfer portal paved the way for one of their major strengths heading into the season

Ohio State is ranked No. 2 entering the college football season on pretty much any poll you look at. Expectations are high for the Buckeyes with the roster they are set to put out there in 2024.

Ryan Day has built a strong roster and it has the Buckeyes in position to compete for winning it all this season . When it comes to the strengths of the roster, a few things stand out.

The running back room is top-heavy

Ohio State's biggest strength may be the ground game that they are going to be able to lean on. With two capable starters between Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson, the Buckeyes’ offense is set up to leave a mark in 2024.

Henderson very well could have gone off to the NFL and Henderson could have decided not to come to Ohio State with another starting-level running back already there. But the two are ready to make for perhaps the best duo in the country and that’s a big win for the Buckeyes. There will only be one year of this duo, so enjoy it while it lasts.

Veteran leadership that has been here

One of the main reasons that the Buckeyes are in the spot that they are in with their roster is because of all that returned. Getting back players like Emeka Egbuka, Henderson, Jack Sawyer, J.T. Tuimoloau, Denzel Burke, Lathan Ransom, Cody Simon, and Tyliek Williams was huge for the Buckeyes. Each of these players could have tested the NFL waters but chose not to.

Ohio State has a roster full of players that knows what it is like to lose to Michigan, as well as not make the College Football Playoff. They all returned to right that ship and that is no secret. Veteran leadership could be key in the expanded playoff format.

Strong front and back end of the defense

Ohio State’s defense has the makings to be one of the best units in the country. With Sawyer, Tuimoloau, and Williams returning on the defensive front, it is fair to expect a big year from Larry Johnson’s unit. That is not the only strong unit though, as the secondary is going to back it up.

Burke, Ransom, and Davison Igbinosun all return as starters in the defensive backfield, and the Buckeyes only went out and added the country’s top safety, Caleb Downs, via the transfer portal. Combine that with Sonny Styles moving from safety to linebacker and it is easy to see why the Buckeyes have such a strong defense. It is Year 3 for Jim Knowles calling the defense and things will get a bit more complex.

Related: Ryan Day doesn’t shy away from the position that the Ohio State Buckeyes have put themselves in for 2024