Ohio State was one of the best offenses in the country last season. They were 1st in the entire country in points per game (45.7) and yards per game (516.5). They will look to continue their dominance on this side of the ball in 2022. Ohio State will return six offensive starters from last year. Wilson, Olave, Ruckert, Munford and Petit-Frere are the five starters Ohio State loses and all of them got drafted to the NFL. Now we will take a look at Ohio State’s Projected Starting Offense for 2022.
QB: CJ Stroud
Stroud had 4,435 yards and 44 touchdowns last year and finished 4th in Heisman. This year he will look to lead one of the best offenses in college football yet again.
RB: TreVeyon Henderson
Henderson had 1,560 total yards and 19 total touchdowns last year as a true freshman. He wasn’t the starter to start the season last year but took over the job soon after. Henderson is poised for another amazing season in his sophomore campaign.
WR (X): Marvin Harrison JR
Harrison only had one start last year which came in the last game of the season with Olave and Wilson sitting out. In his only start, he had six receptions for 71 yards and three touchdowns. Harrison should be a huge problem for opposing defenses in 2022.
WR (Z): Julian Fleming
Fleming also only had one start in 2021 which came in the same game as Harrison’s. He posted five receptions for 35 yards in that game. Fleming was the number one WR in the country coming out of high school but hasn’t quite put it together yet. He will try to show out in his junior year.
WR (slot): Jaxon Smith-Njigba
Smith-Njigba had 95 receptions for 1,606 yards and nine touchdowns in 2021. He had one of the best single seasons ever for a wide receiver at Ohio State. He will look to continue his chemistry with Stroud and show the world that he is the best wide receiver in the country in 2022.
TE: Cade Stover
The last time we saw Stover on the field he was playing linebacker in the rose bowl. With Ruckert leaving to the NFL draft, I think it’s likely Stover moves back to tight end and gets the starting gig in 2022. Stover hasn’t gotten too much playing time at tight end thus far. He has 5 catches for 76 yards in his collegiate career.
LT: Paris Johnson JR
Johnson started all 13 games last season at right guard. He will move over to left tackle with the departure of Nicholas Petit-Frere. Johnson was ranked the best offensive tackle in the country coming out of high school and will get a chance to prove why in 2022.
LG: Donovan Jackson
Jackson was not a starter last season but was still able to gain some experience with 100 snaps under his belt. He will look to replace a 1st team all-American in Thayer Munford. Jackson was ranked the best interior offensive lineman coming out of high school.
C: Luke Wypler
Wypler started all 13 games at center last season and played 860 snaps which was 2nd on the entire team. He will look to continue his chemistry with Stroud and lead the offensive line in 2022.
RG: Matt Jones
Jones started five games at right guard last year and played 427 snaps. He was named an honorable mention all-Big Ten conference last season. Jones is poised to start every game this season.
RT: Dawand Jones
Jones is a physical specimen at 6’8 350 lbs. He has 14 starts under his belt at right tackle and played 788 snaps in 2021 which ranked 3rd on the team. Jones could’ve left for the NFL draft but decided to protect Stroud for another season and try to boost his draft stock.