As the 2026 college football season creeps closer, the Ohio State Buckeyes look ready to dominate the gridiron yet again. They lost a bunch of starters from last year, but—no surprise here—they’ve restocked through recruiting and the transfer portal.
This article takes a look at the top players to watch, especially senior transfer safety Terry Moore. He’s expected to make a real impact in his lone season with Ohio State.
The New Faces of Ohio State Football
Ohio State’s reputation for producing top-tier football talent isn’t fading anytime soon. The 2026 season brings its own set of challenges, with four offensive and eight defensive starters gone.
The team turned to both recruiting and the transfer portal to fill those holes. According to a recent 247Sports article, the Buckeyes have a top-20 list of players expected to shine this year.
Among the newcomers is Terry Moore, a senior transfer safety from Duke.
Terry Moore: A Game-Changer in the Secondary
Terry Moore’s path to Ohio State hasn’t exactly been straightforward. He started out as a three-star running back prospect from Washington, North Carolina, before switching to safety at Duke in spring 2023.
The position change paid off right away. In 2024, Moore posted a 90.1 overall grade from Pro Football Focus—the best by any Power Four safety that year.
His stats? Pretty wild: 71 tackles, seven tackles for loss, a sack, four interceptions, and six pass breakups. He took home second-team All-ACC honors for that performance.
Overcoming Adversity: Moore’s Injury and Recovery
Moore’s 2025 season didn’t go as planned after he tore his ACL and missed the whole year. Still, his earlier performances have people expecting big things from him at Ohio State.
He’ll reunite with safeties coach Matt Guerrieri, the guy who first recruited him to Duke. Moore’s set to start at free safety, filling the shoes of Caleb Downs, who went in the first round of the NFL Draft.
What Moore Brings to the Table
Moore’s 2024 season at Duke says a lot about what he can do:
- 71 tackles
- 7 tackles for loss
- 1 sack
- 4 interceptions
- 6 pass breakups
These numbers show he’s all over the field making plays. He allowed just a 46.1 passer rating, so quarterbacks couldn’t pick on him in coverage.
If he gets back to form after his injury, Moore could anchor the Buckeyes’ secondary.
Ohio State’s Defensive Outlook
Moore isn’t the only one expected to make noise. Earl Little Jr., another safety, should see plenty of action too.
The Buckeyes have to replace both starting linebackers from last season—Cody Simon and Sonny Styles—since they’re off to the NFL. That’s a big opportunity for guys like Payton Pierce, who’s expected to step into a starting role.
Payton Pierce: The Next Man Up
Payton Pierce, from Lucas, Texas, committed to Ohio State in April 2023. As a freshman in 2024, he played in six games and chipped in on defense and special teams.
During the 2025 season, Pierce put up 43 tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss. Now, with Simon and Styles gone, he’s got a shot at a bigger role.
Pierce has a knack for forcing turnovers. He picked off a pass against Illinois and forced and recovered a fumble in the College Football Playoff quarterfinal against Miami.
His instincts and feel for the game make him a real asset for the Buckeyes’ defense.
Competition and Depth
There’s no shortage of talent fighting for starting spots. Alongside Pierce, players like Garrett Stover, Riley Pettijohn, and TJ Alford are all pushing for more snaps.
Ohio State also brought in Christian Alliegro from Wisconsin to add even more depth at linebacker. With this kind of competition, only the best will see the field.
The Buckeyes’ defense should be tough to crack.
The Road Ahead
Ohio State’s 2025 season ended in the College Football Playoff quarterfinal. They didn’t repeat as national champs, but the team feels reloaded and ready to chase the Big Ten and national titles in 2026.
With a blend of experienced transfers and rising young talent, the Buckeyes look set for another deep run. Spring football will be huge for evaluating players like Moore and Pierce, figuring out where they fit, and checking in on their health.
As always, Ohio State will be one of the most closely watched teams in college football. Can they live up to the hype? I guess we’ll see soon enough.
Conclusion
Ohio State’s 2026 roster looks stacked with talent. Key additions like Terry Moore bring fresh energy, while players such as Payton Pierce seem ready to break out.
The Buckeyes have a real shot at making a big impact this season. Everyone’s curious to see who steps up and how the team gels together.
If you want more details or just want to keep tabs on Ohio State’s top players, check out the full article on 247Sports.
- Schools Covered
- College Football Articles
- Men's College Basketball Articles
- Men's College Soccer Articles
- Women's College Basketball Articles
- Olympic Athlete Articles
- Men's College Baseball Articles
- College Sports Media Professionals Articles
- Hall of Fame Member Articles
- Former College Player Articles
- Game Previews
