Ohio State hired Arthur Smith as its offensive coordinator, and coaches and players are excited about what Smith brings to the table to elevate the Buckeye offense. 

51 new players are on Ohio State’s 2026 roster, but the most important addition does not wear a jersey. Arthur Smith takes over for Brian Hartline as offensive coordinator for the Buckeyes, giving the Scarlet and Gray a former NFL head coach on both sides of the ball.

Throughout fall camp, three themes have emerged surrounding how Arthur Smith’s offense looks in practice and how it compares to last year. There seems to be greater clarity and “structure” to Ohio State’s offense, according to multiple players. Running back Isaiah West encapsulated it, saying,

“We don’t have a thousand different plays. We have a few that we’re really good at. Arthur Smith is real big on being brilliant in the basics.”

But what does that mean for the Buckeyes? Here are three important differences to watch in Ohio State’s offense this season:

Offensive “Structure” from Arthur Smith

Bennett Christian explained the differences logistically: “I just think the plays he’s running are different than last year. I think there’s just plays off plays off plays. We’ll set you up one way and then come back the other way. It looks the same, but it’s a different play.”

The goal of running different plays out of the same formation is to make the defense think and process more. Last year, Ohio State was obsessed with efficiency, but it ended up giving predictability, which was costly. Similar to Matt Patricia’s post-snap shifts, Arthur Smith has brought the offensive version, where similar formations will be used to disguise multiple plays pre-snap.

It also appears the Ohio State offense will change its timing and pace in an effort to avoid being predictable. Julian Sayin will take two plays to the line of scrimmage and have more freedom to operate. Smith said, “Sometimes tempo is on the ball, and cadence is a weapon,” and that “operation is key.”

Within those formations, expect to continue seeing under center football from Julian Sayin and the Buckeyes. No, Arthur Smith is not turning Ohio State into an old-school under center team. Instead, there will be a mix of play action and dropbacks from those sets, along with the traditional shotgun and pistol formations to keep opposing defenses guessing.

Julian Sayin’s arm talent and precision will be showcased, but even more importantly, so will Jeremiah Smith. Ohio State has plenty of playmakers available, and it doesn’t sound like Smith is overthinking the room. Of course, Ryan Day has an established offensive system that will remain Ohio State’s offense, but the blending of Arthur Smith’s concepts and philosophy is enhancing it.

Rotations at Wide Receiver

Ryan Day said we can expect a six-man wide receiver rotation for the Buckeyes this year. While he did not dish out percentages to divide snaps, we know Jeremiah Smith, Brandon Inniss, Devin McCuin, Kyle Parker, Chris Henry Jr., and Brock Boyd will be the top six options.

Ohio State’s head coach has high expectations for the wide receivers this fall, sharing, “Our depth at wide receiver is way better than it was last year, in my opinion.” His comment seems to allude to a top-heavy room led by Jeremiah Smith, Carnell Tate, and Brandon Inniss a year ago, but it also points to how impressively the freshman class is performing.

Teammates continue to mention Chris Henry Jr.’s size and athleticism and Brock Boyd’s intelligence and versatility. Henry Jr.’s speed and a massive catch radius, paired with his 6-foot-5, 211-pound frame, provide a difficult matchup for any defensive back. Boyd, on the other hand, knows all three wide receiver positions and has an acute understanding of the playbook. He is also one of the most shifty players on the team and is excellent in space.

Devin McCuin continues to garner praise, adding top-end speed reminiscent of Devin Smith as a deep threat for the Buckeyes. Cortez Hankton challenged his wide receivers to be better after the catch and make defenders miss in space. Having McCuin as a weapon to stretch the field opposite Jeremiah Smith gives Arthur Smith a schematic advantage as he works with multiple personnel groupings among the wideouts, tight ends, and running backs.

Brandon Inniss, who received the Block O jersey, and Jeremiah Smith are the veterans in the room, but now they are both officially leaders of the team by more than just example.

Vocal Leadership

Ryan Day believes “Leaders have to be felt, leaders have to be heard.” For Inniss, this is his second time serving as team captain, and he’ll do it wearing number zero, better known as the Block O. He leads on and off the field, and says he’s in store for an “explosive” season.

On the other hand, Jeremiah Smith isn’t just leading by example anymore. The three-time Iron Buckeye, widely regarded as the best player in college football, is starting to use his voice. Smith was also named a team captain on Saturday and shed a tear when his name was called.

Brandon Inniss shares the story of Jeremiah Smith being named a Team Captain:

🗣️ “When he got called up, I just saw tears of joy.”

Being a Buckeye means so much to Jeremiah 🌰❤️ pic.twitter.com/NjpKEdyjvV

— The Silver Bulletin (@tSilverBulletin) August 26, 2026

Smith said it caught him by surprise and he wasn’t expecting it, but his teammates view him as more than his gifted athletic ability. He’s coaching the younger players and holding his team accountable to the Buckeye standard. Jeremiah Smith’s presence has been felt since he arrived on campus. But now he’s being heard.

But No. 4 isn’t the only offensive player who’s found his voice. Quarterback Julian Sayin is also leading vocally, described as “fiery” in the huddle. Jeremiah Smith said Sayin has total command of the offense and is playing with confidence and swagger, while Brandon Inniss sees Sayin proving himself as a leader.

“He’s doing a great job using his voice more & taking command of the offense. You’re seeing that swagger come out of him.” – Jeremiah Smith on Julian Sayin’s leadership

Inniss shared on Wednesday that Sayin was fired up after a fourth-down conversion during Ohio State’s second scrimmage, when he questioned the spot of the ball that set up the play. Sayin completed a “great pass,” according to Inniss, who also said, “You can see the emotion he had, screaming…I’m like, oh yeah, he’s got that dawg in him. I like it.”

Quarterback leadership is an essential part of team chemistry, but it’s even more special when it’s embraced by the player as a part of who they are, not just because of the position they play. Julian Sayin’s vocal leadership is becoming part of his fabric as a player and is an X-Factor for the Buckeyes.

All of this adds up to a level-up for Ohio State, which opens the season on September 5 against Ball State at Ohio Stadium, with kickoff set for 12:30 pm.

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