Ohio State’s Shocking Top 100 Contenders Revealed: Which 5 Players Made ESPN’s 2025 List?

“Arguably the best player in college football, Smith broke the Big Ten freshman record with 1,315 receiving yards during Ohio State’s 2024 national championship campaign. He also totaled five touchdowns in the Buckeyes’ four playoff outings. With a season of experience behind him, Smith said he expects to play even faster this year. That’s a scary proposition for the rest of the Big Ten.”Everybody has a list these days, but some are followed more than others. When it comes to college football, ESPN has about as big of a following as you can have with the game, so folks take notice. When you merge the “worldwide leader” and Ohio State football, well — that’s two big brands coming together to paint a college football work of art.Klare has a chance to be a real difference maker in the Ohio State offense. With all the attention the wide receivers will attract, the Purdue transfer should be isolated and matched up at times with linebackers. That should give him ample opportunity to get plenty of targets and resulting catches, yards, and touchdowns.Contact/Follow us @BuckeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes and opinion. Follow Phil Harrison on X.

No. 75 – Max Klare, Tight End

Ohio State Buckeye Scarlet Max Klare (86) celebrates a touchdown catch against team Gary in the 1st half during the spring game at Ohio Stadium on April 12, 2025.

What ESPN says

Here are the five players appearing in ESPN’s Top 100 College Football Players of 2025, their total ranking, and what is said about each.

What we say

“Even though Jeremiah Smith will understandably take up much attention this season, don’t sleep on Tate. The 6-3, 191-pound wideout from Chicago had a strong season inside of Ohio State’s title-winning offense last year, and even though Will Howard is gone, Tate should be able to build on his 2024 campaign.”

No. 67 – Carnell Tate, Wide Receiver

August 31, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA;
Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Carnell Tate (17) slips away from Akron Zips cornerback Devonte Golden-Nelson (3) during the first half of Saturday’s NCAA Division I football game at Ohio Stadium.

What ESPN says

“At 6-4 and 236 pounds, you won’t miss Klare on the field, and for whoever does line up under center for the Buckeyes, Klare will quickly become a favorite target. The junior had a breakout season last year, and there’s a sense that this season could be even bigger for the Purdue product.”

What we say

Enjoy watching Smith for the next couple of years because he will most likely go down as the best receiver to ever play at Ohio State, and that’s saying a lot with the talent that’s come through the program at that position. He’s the complete package, and there’s a good chance he’ll continue his production in a big way in the NFL as well. He’ll get a lot of attention from defenses this year, but he’ll still shake free and put up some really good numbers on the way to one whale of a season again.

No. 62 – Sonny Styles, Linebacker

Ohio State Buckeyes safety Sonny Styles (6) celebrates a defensive stop during the first half of the Cotton Bowl Classic College Football Playoff semifinal game against the Texas Longhorns at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on Jan. 10, 2025.

What ESPN says

If it weren’t for Jeremiah Smith, Tate would receive a lot more attention because he would be featured big time on another team. As it is, he’s primed for a breakout season with Emeka Egbuka now making highlights early in his career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He could end up with similar numbers as Smith.

What we say

“Downs was a major reason the Buckeyes featured the top defense in the country in 2024. Playing shallow safety, he locked up the middle of the field for Ohio State, which didn’t allow more than 23 points the rest of the way after giving up 32 in an Oct. 12 loss at Oregon. Downs, also an electric returner, took a punt 79 yards for a touchdown in a key late-season win over Indiana. There isn’t a more accomplished defensive player in college football entering this campaign.”

No. 3 – Caleb Downs, Safety

Ohio State Buckeyes safety Caleb Downs (2) returns an interception during the second half of the Cotton Bowl Classic College Football Playoff semifinal game against the Texas Longhorns at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on Jan. 10, 2025. Ohio State won 28-14.

What ESPN says

In a world flooded with endless rankings, some lists manage to capture the real pulse of college football, and ESPN’s latest Top 100 College Football Players of 2025 stands out like a beacon. Now, when the “worldwide leader” teams up with one of the sport’s powerhouse programs—Ohio State—that’s when it gets truly exciting. This isn’t just any list; it’s a showcase of top-tier talent, and the Buckeyes have a strong presence with five players making the cut. Whether you’re a diehard Buckeyes follower or just casually keeping an eye on preseason chatter, there’s plenty here that’ll spark your interest. So, let’s dive into who made the list, where they rank, and what the buzz is around each of these standout athletes. LEARN MORE

What we say

Is it possible Downs doesn’t get ENOUGH credit? When he was moved to the middle of the Ohio State defense, things started to get much, much better on that side of the ball. Not only is he an eraser and leader on the field, but he also returns punts. You could probably put him at running back or wide receiver, and he’d be one of the best at that position as well. He’s likely going to go down as one of the very best safeties to ever suit up in the scarlet and gray.

No. 1 – Jeremiah Smith

Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (4) celebrates a first down catch during the second half of the College Football Playoff quarterfinal against the Oregon Ducks at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. on Jan. 1, 2025. Ohio State won 41-21.

What ESPN says

“The 6-4, 235-pound converted safety proved he’s one of the Big Ten’s best defensive playmakers in 2024, earning second-team all-conference honors as the leading tackler for the national champs, with big performances in some of the Buckeyes’ biggest games, including a career-high nine stops against Oregon, Penn State and Texas. He’s a 28-game starter and an invaluable leader with impressive traits and first-round pick potential.”

What we say

That’s exactly what we have with ESPN’s Top 100 College Football Players of 2025 because there’s a whopping five Buckeyes appearing. If you’ve been following all of the preseason awards and lists, there’s a good chance you can name three or four of the players that made the cut, and if not, no worries because we are here to either remind you or knock on the door to let you know.The light really started to go on for the ultra-athletic Styles in the back half of last year — most especially during the College Football Playoff national championship run. He should be able to build on the momentum of last season and further his production this fall.