Buckeyes TomOrrow Morning

With 2025 starting linebackers Arvell Reese and Sonny Styles both selected among the top-10 picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Ohio State Buckeyes are going to have a new look at linebacker this fall. 

But more than just new faces, there are going to be new roles and a new mixture of players in different packages. 

In this episode of the Buckeyes TomOrrow Morning podcast, Tony Gerdeman of BuckeyeInsiders.com joins host Tom Orr to discuss how the new-look linebackers could fit together to defend against the wide variety of offenses they'll face this fall.

From last year's third linebacker Payton Pierce, to Wisconsin transfer Christian Alliegro, to talented second-year standouts Riley Pettijohn and TJ Alford, there is a lot of potential in James Laurinaitis' position group.  

Today's episode is presented by Jeff Ruby's Columbus, proudly offering nationally-acclaimed U.S.D.A. Prime steaks, seafood & sushi, impeccable service, live entertainment, and an attention to detail that is simply unmatched. Just go to JeffRuby.com/Columbus to check out the menu and make a reservation today.

The Ohio State Buckeyes held practice No. 12 of fall camp on Wednesday at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center. Following practice, several members of the running back and tight end rooms met with the media to discuss their preparations for the 2026 college football season. 

During those interviews, RB Isaiah West and TE Bennett Christian shared some interesting insights into the impact that new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith is having on this year's team, and Marcus Hartman of BuckeyeInsiders.com has some thoughts on what that could look like on the field this fall. 

He joins host Tom Orr to discuss Arthur Smith's impact, and what to expect when the Buckeyes take the field against Ball State in just over two weeks. 

Today's episode is presented by Jeff Ruby's Columbus, proudly offering nationally-acclaimed U.S.D.A. Prime steaks, seafood & sushi, impeccable service, live entertainment, and an attention to detail that is simply unmatched. Just go to JeffRuby.com/Columbus to check out the menu and make a reservation today.

The preseason Associated Press Top-25 poll is out, and the Ohio State Buckeyes are ranked as the No. 1 team in the nation. 

But the overall trends in the poll may be an indication of where the sport of college football is headed - particularly when you look at how those preseason rankings would look in the College Football Playoff field.

In this episode of the Buckeyes TomOrrow Morning podcast, Tony Gerdeman of BuckeyeInsiders.com joins host Tom Orr to discuss the dominance of the top end of the Big Ten, the depth of the SEC, and what's left for the rest of the teams and leagues in FBS. 

Today's episode is presented by Jeff Ruby's Columbus, proudly offering nationally-acclaimed U.S.D.A. Prime steaks, seafood & sushi, impeccable service, live entertainment, and an attention to detail that is simply unmatched. Just go to JeffRuby.com/Columbus to check out the menu and make a reservation today.

The Ohio State Buckeyes are loaded at defensive end in the 2027 recruiting class, but only have a commitment from one defensive tackle.

That could all change in 2028, when Larry Johnson and the Buckeyes already have a commitment from 5-star DT Jameer Whyce, and are in position to make a run at four other top-100 defensive tackles in the class. 

Juck Miletti, the recruiting insider at BuckeyeInsiders.com, joins host Tom Orr to discuss Ohio State's pursuit of:

• 5-star DT Kellen Hall out of Kentucky, ranked as the top DT in the nation for 2028
• 5-star DT Tyzon Swann out of Maryland, ranked as the No. 2 DT in the 2028 class
• Top-100 DT Nikolas Stevens from Maryland, who plays at Chase Young's high school
• Top-100 DT Aedyn Havili from Washington, who plays at JT Tuimoloau's high school

Today's episode is presented by Jeff Ruby's Columbus, proudly offering nationally-acclaimed U.S.D.A. Prime steaks, seafood & sushi, impeccable service, live entertainment, and an attention to detail that is simply unmatched. Just go to JeffRuby.com/Columbus to check out the menu and make a reservation today.

This is another bonus episode, featuring some of the most interesting things we heard over the weekend from Ohio State head coach Ryan Day. 

This episode focuses on the defense. The Buckeyes are replacing eight starters on that side of the ball, including SAF Caleb Downs, LBs Sonny Styles and Arvell Reese, and DT Kayden McDonald. 

So is it fair to expect Matt Patricia's defense to take a step back this year? And how is the quest to replace that talented duo of linebackers going so far?

In this episode, you'll hear the answers to those questions and more directly from the head coach of the Buckeyes.

There was a lot to learn from our conversation with Ohio State head coach Ryan Day on Saturday, following the first scrimmage of fall camp for the Buckeyes. 

In this special bonus episode, you'll get updates on how the new "5 to play 5" rule is completely changing the game for every freshman on the Ohio State roster, what went into the decision to move Senior Day up to the first weekend of the season, and much more.

Ohio State head coach Ryan Day met with the media following the ninth practice of the Buckeyes' 2026 preseason camp, and had a lot of interesting things to say about the OSU offense. 

From the impact of new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith to the growth of second-year starting QB Julian Sayin, the latest on the young but talented running back room, and the race to identify the starting offensive line, Day had a lot to say. 

In this special bonus episode, you'll get a chance to hear about all of it, directly from Day.

New Ohio State offensive coordinator Arthur Smith has spent nearly two decades in the NFL, including a head coaching stint with the Atlanta Falcons and also serving as the offensive coordinator for the Tennessee Titans and Pittsburgh Steelers. 

So what has the adjustment to college coaching been like? What is it like coaching a young quarterback like Julian Sayin after working with veterans like Russell Wilson and Aaron Rodgers? And how challenging is it to ensure your best player is getting the ball as much as possible when that player is a wide receiver?

In this special bonus episode, you'll hear the answers to those questions and many more directly from Arthur Smith.

Matt Patricia's first season as Ohio State Defensive Coordinator could not have gone much better. The Buckeyes finished with one of the most statistically-dominate defenses in not only Buckeye football history, but all of college football. 

Now, comes the hard part. Gone are SAF Caleb Downs, LBs Sonny Styles and Arvell Reese, DT Kayden McDonald and a handful of other stars who are now playing on Sundays. So what does Patricia have planned to get his rebuilt defense ready for the season?

In this special bonus episode, you'll hear directly from Patricia about more than a dozen different topics, including how they'll replace those stars, and the benefits of adding some of the veteran transfers they brought in.

Ryan Day met with the media following practice No. 9 of fall camp for the 2026 Ohio State football team, and the running back room was one of the biggest topics of the day.

Tony Gerdeman of BuckeyeInsiders.com joins host Tom Orr to discuss what they learned on this episode of the Buckeyes TomOrrow Morning podcast.

While freshman phenom Legend Bey and hard-charging sophomore Isaiah West have been the talk of fall camp until now, it was returning 1,000-yard rusher Bo Jackson and veteran transfer Ja'Kobi Jackson who got the most attention on Saturday. What will that mean for the ground game this fall? The fellas discuss that and much more.

Today's episode is presented by Jeff Ruby's Columbus, the award-winning, upscale steakhouse in Downtown Columbus, named one of the Top 50 steakhouses in America by Food Network. Just go to JeffRuby.com/Columbus to check out the menu and make a reservation today.