⚡ CFB Dashboard

- Transfer Earl Little Jr. won the starting safety job next to Jaylen McClain after fall camp, giving coordinator Matt Patricia a versatile defender who can play deep, cover receivers, or align closer to the line. - Leroy Roker III and Terry Moore are still expected to rotate at safety, but Little emerged as a trusted locker-room voice and the clear starter. - Georgia transfer Dominick Kelly held his own with the first-team defense while Jermaine Mathews Jr. was limited by a minor injury and has secured the third-corner role behind Mathews and Devin Sanchez. - Sophomore linebacker Riley Pettijohn rebounded from offseason surgery with a strong camp and is competing with TJ Alford for the third-linebacker role behind Payton Pierce and veteran transfer Christian Alliegro.

- Ohio State is confident in starting corners Devin Sanchez and Jermaine Matthews, with secondary depth carrying extra value because trailing opponents are likely to throw frequently. - Dom Kelly stood out throughout spring practice and is expected to play a substantial cornerback role even if he does not open the season as a starter.

- True freshman Jay Timmons is expected to start at nickel for Ohio State after overcoming a spring injury and consistently earning first-team attention throughout fall camp. - Ohio State teammates identify Timmons' advanced football processing, competitiveness and immediate playmaking as the traits that separated him from a freshman class in which Brock Boyd, Legend Bey and Chris Henry Jr. also project for roles. - Ohio State expects Timmons to be tested quickly, with Texas in Week 2 and later matchups against Indiana and Oregon increasing the importance of his readiness in the slot.

- DB: Jordan Thomas becomes the seventh freshman to shed his black stripe with the Buckeyes in 2026.

- DB: Been 3 more come off in last 5 days Freshman DB Simeon Caldwell

- DB: The crazy thing is it’s not like he would be starting due to the DB room being thin.

- LB/DB: Brandon Inniss says new Ohio State safety Earl Little Jr.

- LB/DB: I always thought Mathews was our best option at nickel..

- DB: Kaden Gebhardt’s physicality, instincts and football IQ could make him a playmaking safety who thrives near the line of scrimmage for Ohio State.

- Ohio State landed an impressive 17-player transfer class this year. - Of that group, arguably the biggest addition was defensive back Earl Little Jr., who is expected to be the Buckeyes' starting nickel this year. "Everything's been lovely here in Columbus," Little said. "I love my team, I love my teammates, I love my coaches. - Just everything about Ohio State is great. - As soon as I stepped foot in... - Comment: DB room is stacked.