Two of the best Ohio State players returning for 2024 are defensive end JT Tuimoloau and running back TreVeyon Henderson.
Ohio State will start the 2024 season with a lot more returning talent than many people imagined.TreVeyon Henderson, a running back, said Friday that he will return to Columbus, becoming the latest Buckeyes standout to do so in 2024.
Henderson is expected to create the strongest rushing duo in the country with former Ole Miss running back Quinshon Judkins. Henderson competed in ten games in 2023, rushing 156 times for 926 yards and eleven touchdowns.
Judkins committed to Ohio State on Monday night, following his unexpected decision to leave Ole Miss. Judkins carried for more than 1,500 yards as a rookie in 2022, then in 2023, he had 1,158 yards and 15 touchdowns.
Despite standout receiver and potential top-five pick Marvin Harrison Jr. declaring for the NFL Draft, Ohio State’s offseason has seen several players returning to school instead. Edge rusher JT Tuimoloau also announced his return this week after recording five sacks and seven tackles for loss in 2023.
Tuimoloau and Jack Sawyer will return to the defensive line for their senior season. Sawyer was among the first Buckeyes to announce his return in 2024 earlier this month. In 2023, Sawyer recorded 10 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks. Five of the six sacks occurred over the final three games of the season. DL Tyleik Williams is returning as well. In 2023, he had 10 tackles for loss.
Denzel Burke’s return significantly improved the secondary. Burke, a potential first-round choice if he declared for the NFL, has been Ohio State’s top cornerback as rival teams have been hesitant to throw his way. Jordan Hancock, a defensive back who recorded 41 tackles, two sacks, and two interceptions in 2023, will return for the 2024 season. Hancock was a versatile player for the Buckeyes this season.
Harrison and Julian Fleming (Penn State) have left the receiving room, but Emeka Egbuka will return in 2024. Egbuka appeared in only ten games in 2023, with 41 catches for 515 yards following 74 catches for 1,151 yards and ten touchdowns in 2022.
In prior seasons, it would have been unimaginable that so many possible first-round draft prospects would stay at Ohio State for another season. However, the NCAA’s allowing for endorsement and sponsorship revenue, as well as Ohio State’s absence of a victory against Michigan since 2019, are likely to have played a role in many players’ returns.
Based on Jim Harbaugh’s coaching intentions for 2024 and Michigan’s rebuilding plans, Ohio State appears to be the favorite to win the Big Ten in 2024. The Buckeyes have also signed an experienced quarterback. That was the greatest question mark heading into 2024, but after a terrible offensive performance in the Cotton Bowl, Ohio State dug into the transfer portal and signed former Kansas State quarterback William Howard.