Stock report: Early impressions of Buckeyes freshmen on offense

COLUMBUS — Ohio State is already four practices into training camp as it builds toward this highly-anticipated season. The Buckeyes have a ton of talent on their roster.

Some of that talent is courtesy of the loaded 2024 recruiting class, a 22-man group that finished fourth nationally in the On3 Industry Rankings.

Lettermen Row has watched each of the first four Buckeyes practices of camp, and now we’re breaking down the offensive recruiting class — and giving the stock report before camp resumes on Tuesday. Let’s dive in.

Ohio State offense

QB Julian Sayin: Stock up

Ohio State coach Ryan Day had effusive praise for Sayin during the first-year quarterbacks first spring on campus in March and April. That has translated into valuable first-team offense reps during the opening days of training camp. Sayin is competing to become the backup quarterback right now with an eye on earning the starting job in the future. His ability to process info and take it to the field is showing up, well, on the field. And he’s positioning himself nicely for early playing time in Buckeyes blowouts this regular season. His stock is certainly up.

QB Air Noland: Stock unchanged

Noland’s struggles in spring ball are well-documented at this point, and he came into August camp running fifth on the depth chart. That hasn’t changed, and is evident when the Buckeyes switch from 7-on-7 drills in which Noland is taking reps into 11-on-11 drills — when Noland is getting 0 reps with the first-, second- or third-team offensive units. He is still just a freshman, but so is the other first-year quarterback in the room. And there’s certainly a gap between the two right now. Noland has time to make it up, but he hasn’t gained ground through four practices.

RB James Peoples: Stock up

James Peoples has a little bit of JK Dobbins to his game — and as I’ve said before, a little Blake Corum in his game, too. He uses ultra-quick feet to move in and out of cuts, is decisive with his cuts and gets to the second level in a hurry. That’s what we’ve seen through four practices. He looks like the kind of back Ohio State will rely on as RB1 in the future. For now, he’ll earn carries as the likely RB3 behind the two stars. Lettermen Row loves what Peoples is doing early in camp.

RB Sam Williams-Dixon: Stock up

Williams-Dixon has been a really nice surprise for the Buckeyes in the first four days. He has shown a good bit of burst and a willingness to navigate through holes to find openings. As one of just four scholarship running backs on the roster, will need to play. Through four days of camp, he looks like somebody who can get the job done when called upon.

WR Jeremiah Smith: Stock up

The No. 1 overall recruit in the 2024 class is already wowing everybody yet again at Buckeyes camp, just a few months after doing the same during spring practice. He’s going to be a big-time player in the offense, especially after the hot start he has put together in camp. Smith has been a go-to target for the Buckeyes quarterbacks during the first four days. He’ll continue to be as he works toward playing starter-level snaps for Ohio State as a freshman.

WR Mylan Graham: Stock unchanged

Graham just wrapped up his first few days of camp in his Ohio State career. He is an explosive athlete and a gifted route-runner. But he’s also in a loaded room that features stars at the top of the depth chart. He doesn’t have much upward mobility right now. Still, he’s a future star for the Buckeyes.

WR Damarion Witten: Stock unchanged

After being recruited as a tight end, Damarion Witten is learned to play receiver at Ohio State. That’ll take some time. His future could be bright, even if he doesn’t show a lot as a freshman.

TE Max LeBlanc: Stock unchanged

With veterans ahead of him on the depth chart, Max LeBlanc will open his career with a developmental season at Ohio State — and that’s OK. He will be a factor in future Buckeyes tight end rooms. Right now, he’s learning during this first phase of his career.

Note: We aren’t quite ready to give a stock report on offensive linemen Ian Moore, Gabe VanSickle, Devontae Armstrong or Deontae Armstrong.

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