Every college football season sees players who didn't play a starring role become household names. Just last year, we saw Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese become a starter, show the goods by becoming an extremely disruptive player, and end up as an early first-round NFL draft pick, seemingly out of nowhere.
Who might that be this year? Perhaps nobody fits that bill exactly, but there are bound to be some players -- especially on defense, where so much was lost -- who become stars and help lead the team towards the lofty goals that hang somewhere inside the Woody Hayes Athletic Center.
So, who will it be this year? Here are five potential breakout candidates for Ohio State in the 2026 season.
Legend Bey, Running Back
There's a name that keeps popping up when the media
has asked which players are making a mark in the fall, and it's Legend Bey. His recruiting, commitment, and national letter of intent story is crazy, but now he's in Columbus and is impressing in a big way with his ability to make would-be tacklers miss with his explosive and elusive ways.
Bey is unlikely to get a starting nod because of the experience and talent ahead of him, but he brings a dynamic ability that needs to see the field, as long as he can learn the offense and take care of the ball. Mr. All-World Wide Receiver Jeremiah Smith has even told the media that he believes Bey will either win a Heisman or be a finalist before his career is over on the banks of the Olentangy.
Payton Pierce, Linebacker
The coaching staff said that Payton Pierce was one of the main three linebackers last season, but Ohio State mainly implemented a two-linebacker set, so he wasn't on the field as much as he could have been. Still, he got plenty of playing time, and now that Sonny Styles and Arvelle Reese are off to the NFL, it's Pierce's time to shine as the middle linebacker and quarterback of the defense.
He got the most votes to be a captain this year, has instincts and toughness, and is a natural-born leader. He's going to make a lot of tackles, be in a lot of plays, and potentially be the next superstar linebacker wearing the scarlet and gray. He's a junior, and it's his time to shine.
Chris Henry Jr., Wide Receiver
There was a little bit of anxiety when Brian Hartline left to be the head coach at USF because he was instrumental in the recruitment of the nation's No. 1 receiver in the 2026 class. In the end, though, Chris Henry Jr. decided to stick with his commitment and is now showing some of that talent that had everyone pegging him as the next great receiver at Ohio State.
Whether or not he shows enough to be that starting WR3 remains to be seen, but he's still going to be a big part of a deep and talented pass-catching room. You feel good about him breaking out at some point, and it's just a matter of when this season we begin to see it all come together.
Earl Little Jr., Safety
Perhaps no player will be more important on the defense than the Florida State transfer, Earl Little Jr. With the loss of the talented Swiss Army knife, Caleb Downs, Little is looked at as the most likely to fill that void. He's experienced, is a big hitter, and is versatile.
Little has the potential to be a first-team All-Big Ten performer, and if the Ohio State defense is going to be as disruptive as it was last season, it'll need him to be what he's shown thus far in the spring and the fall. From run support to covering in space, he should be in on a lot of the plays on defense.
Devin McCuin, Wide Receiver
As talented as Henry is and what he could mean for the future of the wide receiver position for Ohio State, we've heard some things that lead us to believe that Devin McCuin could be the starting No. 3 receiver when things kick off against Ball State on Saturday. He's quick and experienced and should add another reliable and dynamic option to go alongside Smith and Innis.
It'll be interesting to see how he fits in with targets as he and quarterback Julian Sayin continue to work on their chemistry, but if Smith gets doubled and bracketed as we think, there should be plenty of chances for McCuin to be going against single coverage and separate with his route running and quickness to get open.
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This article originally appeared on Buckeyes Wire: 5 breakout candidates for Ohio State football in 2026 | Buckeyes Wire
