Ohio State projected starting lineup and depth chart for Cotton Bowl Classic | 2024-25 College football season

The College Football Playoff heats up as No. 8 Ohio State Buckeyes face No. 5 Texas Longhorns in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic, with a spot in the National Championship on the line. This blockbuster matchup kicks off on Friday at 7:30 PM ET at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Ohio State enters as a 5.5-point favorite, with an over/under of 53.5.

The Buckeyes may have ended the regular season on a sour note, losing against their archrival Michigan Wolverines, but their College Football Playoff run thus far has been impressive. After beating the Tennessee Volunteers in the first round, they took out the top seed in the CFP, the Oregon Ducks.

Let's take a look at Ohio State's projected starting lineup and depth chart for Cotton Bowl Classic.

Ohio State projected starting lineup and depth chart for Cotton Bowl Classic

Offensive Positions

WR-X (Wide Receiver X):

Starter: Jeremiah Smith

• 2nd: Jayden Ballard
• 3rd: Kojo Antwi (Doubtful)

WR-Z (Wide Receiver Z):

Starter: Carnell Tate

• 2nd: Bryson Rodgers
• 3rd: Mylan Graham

WR-Y (Wide Receiver Y):

Starter: Emeka Egbuka

• 2nd: Brandon Inniss
• 3rd: David Adolph

LT (Left Tackle):

Starter: Donovan Jackson

• 2nd: Deontae Armstrong

LG (Left Guard):

Starter: Carson Hinzman

• 2nd: Luke Montgomery
• 3rd: Toby Wilson

C (Center):

• Starter: Carson Hinzman (Promoted due to injury)
• 2nd: Joshua Padilla (Promoted)

RG (Right Guard):

Starter: Tegra Tshabola

• 2nd: Austin Siereveld
• 3rd: Gabe VanSickle

RT (Right Tackle):

Starter: Josh Fryar

• 2nd: George Fitzpatrick
• 3rd: Ian Moore

TE (Tight End):

Starter: Gee Scott Jr.

• 2nd: Jelani Thurman
• 3rd: Bennett Christian
• 4th: Patrick Gurd

QB (Quarterback):

Starter: Will Howard

• 2nd: Devin Brown (Probable)
• 3rd: Julian Sayin
• 4th: Lincoln Kienholz
• 5th: Air Noland

RB (Running Back):

Starter: TreVeyon Henderson

• 2nd: Quinshon Judkins
• 3rd: James Peoples
• 4th: Sam Williams-Dixon
• Inactive: TC Caffey (OFS)

Defensive Positions

LDE (Left Defensive End):

Starter: Jack Sawyer

• 2nd: Caden Curry
• 3rd: Mitchell Melton
• 4th: Dominic Kirks

NT (Nose Tackle):

Starter: Ty Hamilton

• 2nd: Kayden McDonald
• 3rd: Tywone Malone Jr.
• 4th: Bryce Prater

DT (Defensive Tackle):

Starter: Tyleik Williams

• 2nd: Hero Kanu
• 3rd: Jason Moore
• 4th: Will Smith Jr.
• 5th: Eric Mensah

RDE (Right Defensive End):

Starter: JT Tuimoloau

• 2nd: Kenyatta Jackson Jr.
• 3rd: Eddrick Houston
• 4th: Joshua Mickens

WLB (Weakside Linebacker):

Starter: Sonny Styles

• 2nd: C.J. Hicks
• 3rd: Payton Pierce

MLB (Middle Linebacker):

Starter: Cody Simon

• 2nd: Arvell Reese
• 3rd: Gabe Powers
• 4th: Garrett Stover

LCB (Left Cornerback):

Starter: Denzel Burke

• 2nd: Jermaine Mathews Jr.

SS (Strong Safety):

Starter: Lathan Ransom

• 2nd: Jayden Bonsu
• 3rd: Jaylen McClain

FS (Free Safety):

Starter: Caleb Downs

• 2nd: Malik Hartford
• 3rd: Keenan Nelson Jr.

RCB (Right Cornerback):

Starter: Davison Igbinosun

• 2nd: Bryce West

NB (Nickelback):

Starter: Jordan Hancock

• 2nd: Lorenzo Styles Jr.
• 3rd: Miles Lockhart

Special Teams

PT (Punter):

Starter: Joe McGuire

• 2nd: Nick McLarty
• 3rd: Anthony Venneri

PK (Placekicker):

Starter: Jayden Fielding

• 2nd: Austin Snyder
• 3rd: Casey Magyar

KO (Kickoff Specialist):

Starter: Jayden Fielding

• 2nd: Austin Snyder
• 3rd: Casey Magyar

LS (Long Snapper):

Starter: John Ferlmann

• 2nd: Morrow Evans
• 3rd: Max Lomonico

H (Holder):

Starter: Joe McGuire

• 2nd: Nick McLarty
• 3rd: Anthony Venneri

PR (Punt Returner):

Starter: Brandon Inniss

• 2nd: Emeka Egbuka
• 3rd: Jayden Ballard

KR (Kick Returner):

Starter: Jayden Ballard

• 2nd: Carnell Tate
• 3rd: Lorenzo Styles Jr.

Injured/Inactives

• Devin Brown (QB): Probable
• Kojo Antwi (WR): Doubtful
• Mason Maggs (QB): Out
• TC Caffey (RB): Out for Season (OFS)
• Seth McLaughlin (OL): Out for Season (OFS)
• Josh Simmons (OL): Out for Season (OFS)