Discover three offensive players to watch in Ohio State’s fall camp, featuring true freshmen wide receivers Chris Henry Jr. and Brock Boyd.

As Ohio State football officially opens fall camp, the energy in Columbus is palpable. Entering a high-stakes 2026 campaign featuring one of the nation’s most challenging schedules, the Buckeyes are tasked with reloading key positions.

While established superstar receiver Jeremiah Smith anchors the offensive unit, the true intrigue of August lies in the breakout candidates and positional battles that will define Julian Sayin’s supporting cast.

Here are three key offensive players to watch closely during fall camp for the Buckeyes:

1. Chris Henry Jr. (Wide Receiver)

True freshman phenom Chris Henry Jr. enters fall camp with an immense wave of anticipation. Armed with exceptional length, crisp route-running ability, and an innate knack for high-pointing the football, Henry has all the physical tools to turn heads immediately.

While breaking into a prominent rotation right away as a true freshman is traditionally a tall order in Columbus, Henry possesses the rare ceiling required to force the coaching staff’s hand and earn meaningful snaps in the passing game. Coaches will be monitoring his adjustment to the speed of the college game daily.

Henry finished the spring practice period with momentum and flashed in the Spring Game with a few impact plays down the field. How much of the gap has he closed over the summer? Whether he lines up with the first, second, or third team this week, Chris Henry Jr. will continue climbing the depth chart. But his first reps will be an indicator of the answer to the question, depending on which group of receivers he’s included.

2. Brock Boyd (Wide Receiver)

Joining the youthful wave of talent in the wide receiver room is fellow freshman Brock Boyd. With the departure of elite production to the NFL, the competition for targets opposite the boundary is wide open. Boyd has a golden opportunity throughout August to prove he can digest Ryan Day’s playbook quickly and handle the physical demands of high-level college football.

His progress in camp will dictate whether he can emerge as a surprise weapon early in the fall, giving Sayin yet another dynamic weapon to target in crucial down-and-distance situations. Boyd is one of the most well-rounded players on the Buckeyes, despite his youth. He understands all three receiver positions and can find time in any capacity, which increases his chances to earn snaps. Boyd is a player worth getting excited about, and I expect flash plays to grow into a consistent weapon by the end of the season. 

3. Bo Jackson (Running Back)

After rushing for over 1,000 yards during an impressive true freshman season, Bo Jackson enters fall camp as the projected engine of the Ohio State backfield. Under the guidance of a revamped offensive scheme, expectations for Jackson have reached a fever pitch because of his dynamic playmaking ability. 

Coaches will be watching closely after he missed the spring due to a shoulder injury to see him take the next major step into a reliable workhorse role, providing the tough interior yardage and home-run threat needed to keep opposing defenses honest in a tough schedule. His ability to hit the holes cleanly in short-yardage scenarios will be heavily scrutinized.

Expect Jackson to be utilized in the passing game this year as well, catching balls out of the backfield. Arthur Smith’s offensive approach will feature the run game to open up the air attack, which favors the running back room, especially against a rigorous schedule. I expect Jackson to be one of Ohio State’s reliable impact players that fuels a deep postseason run.

Join us at DICK’s House of Sport in Polaris, OH, on Saturday, August 29, from 12-3 pm for a Tailgate Takeover to kick off football season! TSB LIVE returns for an on-site show with special guests previewing Ohio State’s 2026 season. You do not want to miss this event! Register here

NEXT: Read “A Different Person”: Ryan Day on Julian Sayin’s Year 2 Transformation to Lead Ohio State