Ohio State football plays its annual Spring Game on Saturday. Here are five Buckeyes to watch who could break out for the Scarlet and Gray.

Saturday’s Spring Game is nearly here, and plenty of Buckeyes will get the chance to take the field for the first time in front of the crowd. The Buckeyes will have many key impact players who will not participate in this game. The injury report includes Riley Pettijohn, Bo Jackson, Isaiah West, Anthony Rogers, Phillip Daniels, Bennett Christian, Joshua Padilla, and more.

The starters are expected to get some action, but key players such as Jeremiah Smith, Julian Sayin, Brandon Inniss, and others will not be taking many reps. With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the most eye-catching players to focus on in Saturday’s Spring Game.

QB Tavien St. Clair

Second-year quarterback Tavien St. Clair is expected to receive plenty of reps in Saturday’s scrimmage. The Ohio native participated in his true freshman season last year, throwing one touchdown and two interceptions. St. Clair will get a chance to wipe the slate clean and come out better than ever as he prepares to back up Julian Sayin this season.

Tavien St. Clair ➡️ Devin McCuin pic.twitter.com/oLVtQQAzmx

— Blake T. Biscardi (@BlakeBiscardi) April 4, 2026

The expectation of potentially taking over as the starting quarterback in 2027. St. Clair has reportedly shone in practice and will look to show it on Saturday. St. Clair told Eleven Warriors that he is “feeling more confident” as he prepares for his second spring game. St. Clair has the size and arm strength to command the Buckeyes offense, and it will be exciting to see how he develops this season.

WR Brock Boyd

Brock Boyd is a name that has garnered plenty of hype throughout spring, and for good reason. The Texas product had a very productive career at Southlake Carroll, but came into Columbus with little buzz. Since then, Boyd has shed his black stripe and will look to show what he can do in front of the crowd. He was the first true freshman to officially join the Buckeyes.

Boyd has done the little things correctly in practice, but his strength comes as a route runner. He is sharp in his routes and shows great burst during his cuts to shake defenders and create space and separation. Boyd’s strong spring performance will pay dividends, and he will look to crack the rotation as a true freshman under Cortez Hankton. His talent and skill are multifaceted, as he can play all three receiver positions. That will increase his chances of seeing the field early, given his versatility.

WR Chris Henry Jr

Chris Henry Jr., who shed his black stripe on Wednesday, has had lofty expectations placed on him by the media and fans since he committed to Ohio State. The Ohio native has had a strong spring, and wide receivers coach Cortez Hankton had this to say, “Talented, but he’s young, right? Like all of the young guys, they have a lot to learn, but he’s done a good job,” Hankton said. “Just trying to get him to truly play at a high level with urgency and playing fast, but he’s so efficient and smooth, and he has length and ball skills. He’s an extremely talented young man. But he still has to improve every single day.”

Henry will almost certainly get the chance to compete for a spot in the rotation and will look to begin his Buckeye career strong in the spring game. 

LB TJ Alford

TJ Alford enters his second year in the program with the trust of his coaches and teammates. “TJ has grown so much from last season,” Linebackers coach James Laurinaitis said. “He got so much better from fall camp to when we were in the postseason.” With Riley Pettijohn out, Alford will get the chance to make some noise as he goes into 2026 looking to break out. When asked about Alford, head coach Ryan Day said Alford is “knocking on the door in a big way,” and is someone who is going to “play a lot of football” this year. Alford looks stronger, faster, and more complete as a player heading into year two, and his impact will be felt in 2026.

DB Devin Sanchez

Sophomore cornerback Devin Sanchez will get an extended look throughout the spring game. Sanchez spent last season working through growing pains as he adjusted to the college level of play. Cornerbacks coach Tim Walton mentioned Sanchez as someone who needs to take the next step and has the talent to do so. The former five-star recruit has a lot riding on his sophomore season and will look to put on a show in the spring game.

Sanchez has been going up against the best wide receivers in the nation, holding his own while doing so. The experience reps taken will be invaluable as he works to become a more complete player. Sanchez’s strength and size make him an exciting player to watch as he heads into year two.

The spring game is a great way to get to know the newest Buckeyes, and no matter what happens Saturday, it is nice knowing that another season of Buckeyes football is nearly upon us.

NEXT: Read more from Ryan Day on Saturday’s Spring Game expectations.