Ohio State Freshmen Fuel Run Game, Title Hopes

After Ohio State's 34-0 win over Wisconsin, wide receiver Jeremiah Smith said the 2025 Buckeyes intend to go back-to-back and that he believes this year's team is better than the 2024 national champions. Carnell Tate has emerged as an underappreciated star, posting three 100-yard games and totaling 34 catches for 587 yards and six touchdowns through seven games while remaining a top NFL prospect. The Buckeyes' running back rotation remains unsettled: West Virginia transfer CJ Donaldson and James Peoples opened the season as the top two backs, but true freshman Bo Jackson has broken out with multiple strong performances and a higher yards-per-carry average. Separately, at South Carolina, 2027 target Trent Seaborn is being projected to Alabama after a recent visit, and Atlanta recruit Justin Murphy is pushing the Gamecock staff to recruit him as a quarterback after initially being offered as a defensive back/athlete and visiting Columbia. Quarterback recruiting for the 2027 cycle continues to shift, with four-star Trae Taylor heading to Nebraska, Jayce Johnson to Texas A&M, Peter Bourque to Michigan and Peyton Houston to LSU, while top prospect Elijah Haven remains strongly considering a short list of schools.