Overview

• Day convened a team meeting the day after the championship to shift focus, honoring outgoing seniors before elevating new leaders and removing some private title reminders at players’ request.
• Ohio State is approaching the offseason as a reload, leaning on strength coach Mickey Marotti and veteran staff, with defensive line coach Larry Johnson emphasizing urgency after losing his entire starting front.
• The Buckeyes open on August 30 against Steve Sarkisian’s Texas in a playoff rematch that The Sporting News frames as a major early test with the Longhorns viewed as favorites.
• Players credit a raw, three-hour, players-only meeting after the Michigan loss—described as ending in prayer—with forging unity that fueled the playoff run, according to ESPN reporting cited by ClutchPoints.
• Freshman wide receiver Jeremiah Smith emerged as a standout during the title run, drawing praise as one of the nation’s top players at just 18.