Losing 29 players between the portal and the NFL draft, the Ohio State Buckeyes still boast a very talented roster on both sides of the ball as they host the No. 1 Texas Longhorns.
With away games scheduled at No. 5 Georgia and No. 15 Florida, Texas will have its first taste of football away from Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on Saturday. Here are who you should keep your eyes on when the Longhorns take on the Buckeyes on Saturday.
Jeremiah Smith – wide receiver
After a freshman campaign that included USA Today first-team All-American honors, Big Ten Freshman of the Year and being a finalist for the Shaun Alexander freshman of the year, Smith returns for a promising sophomore campaign. Smith reeled in for 76 receptions, 1,315 yards and 15 touchdowns last season.
“He’s gotten bigger, stronger and faster than he was last year,” Ohio State head coach Ryan Day said in a press conference. “He sets such a standard and you don’t need to motivate Jeremiah and what he did as a freshman speaks for itself.”
Although the Longhorns were able to hold Smith to one reception and three yards in last season’s College Football Playoff semifinal, his 6-foot-3, 223-pound frame still poses a threat for a defense that lost defensive backs Jahdae Barron, last year’s Jim Thorpe Award winner, and Andrew Mukuba to the NFL Draft.
Caleb Downs – safety
Sealing last year’s semifinal with an interception to close out the game, Downs returns for his junior campaign. A unanimous first-team All-American and Big Ten Conference Defensive Back of the Year, the 6-foot, 205-pound safety will be a major threat from the Texas offense, generating rhythm in the passing game.
After recording 81 tackles, six pass breakups and two interceptions, Downs has already cemented himself in 2026 NFL mock drafts. ESPN’s Field Yates predicts the safety to be the No. 5 pick in a mock draft he wrote on Aug. 20.
“He is a no-weakness prospect who brings a physical and imposing demeanor when playing in the box and defending the run,” Yates said. “But Downs also boasts excellent range, ball skills … and vision as a middle-of-the-field pass defender.”
Sonny Styles – linebacker
After recording 100 tackles last season, Styles remains a threat to the Longhorns’ offense. Last time out, the linebacker recorded nine total tackles, three of which were for a combined 13-yard loss. The then-junior also disrupted the passing game by sacking then-quarterback Quinn Ewers on a 3rd-and-11, resulting in a forced fumble and 10-yard loss on the play.
Styles is also Ohio State’s 2025 Block O recipient and has been awarded the No. 0 jersey, a tradition that honors all-time Ohio State great Bill Willis and the personality traits he had as a Buckeye.
“When you think of somebody who represents the program the right way, that’s why he’s rocking the Block O,” linebacker coach James Laurinaitis said in a video celebrating Styles. “He does all the little things right and when you’re a leader and the guy everybody looks to, you have to handle yourself a certain way. It’s almost like having another coach on the field.”
