Ohio State releases official depth chart ahead of season opener

With the blackout officially lifted for game week, interim head coach Ryan Day and defensive coordinator Greg Schiano answered questions from the media for just about an hour on Monday. In their answers, the two coaches revealed a significant amount about the starting lineup and depth chart for this Saturday’s season opener against the Oregon State Beavers.

However, on Tuesday afternoon, we got the first official two-deep of the season for the No. 5 Ohio State Buckeyes, and as expected, Dwayne Haskins will lead the offense at quarterback, with redshirt freshman Tate Martell currently listed as the backup. As true freshman Matthew Baldwin gets healthy, and graduate transfer Chris Chugunov acclimates to the offense, it will be interesting to see if Martell hangs onto that spot for the duration of the season.

Running backs J.K. Dobbins and Mike Weber are listed as co-starters, but former RB turned H-back/WR Demario McCall did not make the two-deep for the season opener. K.J. Hill and C.J. Saunders are listed as the backup H-backs behind Parris Campbell.

In more surprising news, it was announced that first-team All-Big Ten lineman Michael Jordan will be moving from guard to center to start the season, and he will be anchoring an experienced offensive line that will feature Demetrius Knox at right guard, Malcolm Pridgeon at left guard, Thayer Munford and Joshua Alabi splitting time at left tackle, and Isaiah Prince at right tackle.

The starting linebackers for Week 1 will be Pete Werner and Malik Harrison on the outside, and Baron Browning in the middle. Schiano said that whenever newly-named captain Tuf Borland is available to start, they will reassess, but they have no concrete plans in the meantime. Safety Isaiah Pryor is listed starters opposite Jordan Fuller.

A total of 14 freshman made the initial two-deep, all in reserve roles.

But, perhaps the most exciting news from the depth chart is that “Big Bob” Robert Landers is now officially a starting defensive lineman for Ohio State.

Check out the complete Week 1 depth chart below: