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Five players to watch in the Ohio State football spring game 2026
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- Five players to watch in the Ohio State football spring game 2026
The Ohio State Buckeyes are set to play their 2026 spring game this Saturday, April 18, at noon ET inside Ohio Stadium in Columbus. It has been an eventful spring session for the Buckeyes as new players have been shedding their black stripes daily, new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith continues to get comfortable with the college game, and a wave of freshmen and newcomers are working to make a name for themselves.
With the spring showcase quickly approaching, we have identified five players to watch ahead of Ohio State's spring game on Saturday afternoon.
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TEs Mason Williams & Hunter Welcing
Ohio State Buckeyes tight end Hunter Welcing (84) eyes a pass during the first day of spring workouts for the 2026 football season at Woody Hayes Athletic Complex in Columbus on March 10, 2026.
Both Williams and Welcing have made noise throughout spring camp and should factor into Arthur Smith's offense this season, a scheme that has historically leaned on 12 and 13 personnel and features tight ends heavily. Williams transferred from Ohio, while Welcing came over from Northwestern. Both bring solid size at 6'3 and 6'5, around 250 pounds.
Their 2025 numbers may not jump off the page, but both have the tools to help fill the void left by Max Klare's production. Head coach Ryan Day was asked last week about players who have stood out recently and mentioned both Williams and Welcing, which carries weight. It will be interesting to see how they are used on Saturday with Smith calling plays.
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DB Earl Little Jr.
Ohio State Buckeyes cornerback Earl Little Jr. (1) lines up during Student Appreciation Day spring practice at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center on April 4, 2026.
Little Jr. was the No. 3 overall safety in the transfer portal according to 247Sports, and Ohio State was thrilled to land him. The Florida State transfer totaled 76 tackles, two forced fumbles, and four interceptions in 2025. He projects as a versatile piece in Matt Patricia's defense, capable of lining up at safety or sliding into a nickel role.
Both Ryan Day and safeties coach Matt Guerrieri have praised Little Jr. for his leadership, competitiveness, and physicality. Day had this to say on the FSU transfer: "How do you replace Caleb Downs ? You can't. But Earl (Little Jr.) has been doing a great job of really communicating back there."
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It will be fun to watch how Patricia deploys Little Jr., especially given his reputation for delivering big hits on receivers and tight ends.
WR Chris Henry Jr.
Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Chris Henry Jr. (15) lines up during Student Appreciation Day spring practice at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center on April 4, 2026.
Chris Henry Jr. is one of the most intriguing storylines this spring and a major focus heading into the spring game. The five-star freshman ranks as a top 25 player and the No. 2 wide receiver in the 2026 class according to 247Sports. He has the hype, the size, and the pedigree, with his father having played five years in the NFL. Whether he starts right away depends on how quickly he can seize the opportunity.
Late in March, Ryan Day spoke about what he has seen from the 6'5 receiver and set the bar high.
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"He has all the traits. He has all the skills," Day said. "Everything we thought he would be in recruiting, we've seen on the field, so that's exciting."
On paper, pairing Henry Jr. with Jeremiah Smith and likely Brandon Innis in the slot creates a nightmare for opposing defenses, given the size and speed on the outside. Henry Jr. can be a Day 1 starter, but it will not come easily with heavy competition in the room. Freshman Brock Boyd has been turning heads, while transfers Devin McCuin from UTSA and Kyle Parker from LSU add even more depth.
EDGE/DL Zion Grady & Qua Russaw
Ohio State Buckeyes defensive end Zion Grady (9) rushes past defensive tackle Sam Greer (77) during Student Appreciation Day spring practice at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center on April 4, 2026.
Another key storyline this spring has been the edge and defensive line room, particularly who will line up alongside Kenyatta Jackson. Zion Grady, a rising sophomore, saw limited action last season and recorded 13 tackles and a sack. The former four-star recruit stands 6'4 and 258 pounds and already has familiarity with Matt Patricia's system.
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Russaw brings more uncertainty but also high upside. The Alabama transfer was a former five-star recruit whose time in Tuscaloosa was impacted by injuries. Ohio State brought him in through the portal, hoping to unlock his potential and help reload a pass rush unit that lost Arvell Reese and Caden Curry to the NFL.
Grady may have the early edge in the starting race, but Russaw will push him throughout the spring game and into the summer. The competition should bring out the best in both as they battle for a key role up front.
This article originally appeared on Buckeyes Wire: Ohio State football spring game: 5 players to watch on Saturday
