Where Ohio State football ranks in returning production in 2026

Ohio State is No. 31 in the Football Bowl Subdivision in returning production this year, according to the annual offseason ranking from ESPN.

It’s a sizable jump from last year, when the Buckeyes were No. 101 with just 46% returning production.

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The Buckeyes’ 60% returning production in 2026 is due in no small part to an offense that boasts significant continuity.

The presence of quarterback Julian Sayin, running back Bo Jackson and wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, as well as four of five starting offensive linemen, contribute to 71% returning production that ranks eighth among all 138 FBS teams.

The Buckeyes’ defense, which lost eight of 11 starters for the second straight year, is No. 78 with 50% returning production.

The rankings account for the returning production of incoming transfers, meaning the portal additions help to offset losses on the roster.

No conference boasts as much returning production as the Big Ten, which averages 59% returning production across its 18 teams. Ohio State is No. 9 in the league.

Eight of the 20 teams with the most returning production are from the Big Ten, a group led by Maryland and Nebraska at No. 2 and No. 3 in the FBS. Notre Dame’s returning production is the most among all teams.

Joey Kaufman covers Ohio State football for The Columbus Dispatch. Email him at jkaufman@dispatch.com and follow him on @joeyrkaufman on X.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: College football returning production: Where Ohio State ranks in 2026