Ohio State football, led by coach Ryan Day, is poised to maintain a strong foundation despite significant losses to the NFL Draft, including key player Will Howard. Howard's departure, along with 13 other teammates, challenges the team, but Day remains optimistic about rebuilding. Despite ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr.'s skepticism, Howard's pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers is seen as a testament to his potential, though he must prove himself further. Ohio State's strength lies in its returning top offensive player, Jeremiah Smith, and defensive player, Caleb Downs, who provide a solid base for future success. The upcoming season's opener against Texas Longhorns, featuring quarterback Arch Manning, will be a critical test for Ohio State's revamped roster.

Ohio State football, under coach Ryan Day, faces the challenge of replacing key players lost to the NFL Draft, including quarterback Will Howard and 13 others from their championship team.

Despite these departures, coach Day expressed readiness to advance, emphasizing the mutual benefits between Howard and the Ohio State program in terms of development and exposure.

Will Howard was selected 185th overall by the Pittsburgh Steelers, a move met with skepticism by ESPN draft expert Mel Kiper Jr., who labeled Howard as a backup, indicating Howard still has much to prove.

Ohio State is ranked fifth in a way-too-early assessment by On3's Andy Staples, who notes the team's need to address gaps on both offensive and defensive lines but highlights their strong foundation with star players Jeremiah Smith and Caleb Downs.

The upcoming rematch against Texas Longhorns, now featuring quarterback Arch Manning, will serve as a significant test for Ohio State's new lineup as they aim to demonstrate their rebuilt strength.

Ohio State is considered to have one of the highest ceilings in college football due to its recent national title victory and the presence of exceptional returning talent.

The team's preparation and adaptation for the new season are crucial, with expectations of tying loose ends to maintain their competitive edge in collegiate football.

Ohio State may have the highest ceiling in college football. After all, it's only three months removed from winning a national title.

Looking ahead to this fall, coach Ryan Day may have some fixing to do at key positions, but it's nothing of an impossibility.

After losing quarterback Will Howard to the NFL Draft, alongside 13 of his fellow teammates from last season's championship team, Day said recently he is ready to move forward.

"You can see it by the way he played, his accuracy and his efficiency in the playoffs," Day told WBNS last Wednesday. "I think the best thing that ever happened to Ohio State was Will Howard. I think the best thing that ever happened to Will Howard was Ohio State. It worked hand-in-hand. And I think now he's ready to go and jump into an organization, take it and run because he's going to learn fast and the guys are going to really gravitate to him."

Howard was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers as the 185th overall pick, much to the dismay of ESPN draft expert Mel Kiper Jr. Kiper Jr. called Howard "a backup,"so therefore, the championship-winning quarterback will have more to prove moving forward.

Despite the Buckeyes' potential talent gap, On3's Andy Staples wrote they're in a good spot if they can tie a few loose ends, ranking them No. 5 in his way-too-early assessment. 

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"The Buckeyes have a lot to replace on both lines of scrimmage, and they’ll be breaking in a new quarterback," Staples wrote. "But having the nation’s best returning offensive player (receiver Jeremiah Smith) and the nation’s best returning defensive player (safety Caleb Downs) is [an] incredible foundation on which to build."

Ohio State gets a big test Week 1, rematching the Texas Longhorns. Only this time, the game is in Columbus with quarterback Arch Manning on the other sideline instead of Quinn Ewers.

For now, only time will tell.