Ohio State football is officially closing in on the 2026 season, and this week marks one of the most anticipated checkpoints of the offseason: the start of preseason camp. When the Buckeyes open camp, they’ll welcome back several key contributors who missed practice time this spring, giving Ryan Day his most complete roster picture yet heading into a season already loaded with national championship expectations. Here’s a full breakdown of Ohio State’s preseason camp, the health updates out of Big Ten Media Days, and what Jeremiah Smith has already made clear he’s chasing in his final season in Columbus.
Ohio State Preseason Camp 2026: Dates, Times and Ticket Info
Ohio State’s first three practices of preseason camp will take place Thursday, Friday and Saturday this week, and all three sessions will be open to fans. General admission tickets are priced at $48, while a VIP experience is available for $143. Gates open at 8 a.m. each day, with the team expected to take the field around 8:50 a.m. and practice running from 9 a.m. to noon.
For Buckeye fans hoping to get an early, in-person look at this year’s roster before the games start to count, these three open practices remain the most accessible opportunity to do just that before the Buckeyes shift into closed practices for the remainder of camp.
Ryan Day Confirms Ohio State’s Injured Players Are Fully Healthy for Camp
Perhaps the biggest storyline heading into preseason camp is simply how healthy Ohio State is. Speaking at Big Ten Media Days last week, Ryan Day confirmed that every player who was sidelined by injuries during spring practice will be back on the field for the start of camp. That list includes a significant number of contributors across multiple position groups:
- Offensive line: Austin Siereveld, Phillip Daniels, Joshua Padilla and Jake Cook
- Running back: Bo Jackson, Isaiah West and Legend Bey
- Tight end: Bennett Christian
- Linebacker: Riley Pettijohn
- Cornerback: Jay Timmons
- Safety: Earl Little Jr.
Day emphasized how valuable it was for that entire group to get a full summer of training together, expressing confidence that Ohio State’s medical staff made the right call by resting players through the spring to allow shoulders and knees to properly heal before ramping back up for preseason camp. With that group of contributors back at full strength, Ohio State enters camp with arguably its deepest, most complete roster under Day heading into a season already being discussed in national championship terms.
Why a Fully Healthy Roster Matters for Ohio State’s 2026 Outlook
Health at this stage of the offseason is more than just a feel-good storyline — it’s a real competitive advantage. Getting starters and key depth pieces on the offensive line, in the backfield, and across the front seven back on the field together for the first time since last season gives Ohio State’s coaching staff a much clearer picture of its depth chart heading into fall camp battles. It also allows position groups like the offensive line and running back room — both of which took significant hits to their availability this spring — to build the kind of chemistry and continuity that typically shows up in game outcomes later in the year.
For a program with as much roster turnover as Ohio State experiences annually due to the NFL Draft, having this level of continuity and health among returning contributors is a notable advantage as the Buckeyes chase their second national championship in three years.
Jeremiah Smith Sets the Tone: “Bring More Hardware Back” to Columbus
While the health updates dominated the practical side of the news out of Big Ten Media Days, the most powerful message came from star wide receiver Jeremiah Smith. Entering what he’s already confirmed will be his final season at Ohio State, Smith made his goal for 2026 unmistakably clear: another national championship.
When asked what a perfect season would look like, Smith didn’t hesitate, saying that bringing more hardware back to Ohio State is exactly what that perfect season would look like. It’s a fitting standard for a player who has already accomplished nearly everything else available to him at the college level, and it underscores just how much weight this season carries for a receiver who has become the face of the program.
Beyond the team-wide championship goal, Smith has also been open about his individual ambitions for his final season, confirming he’s chasing both the Heisman Trophy and the Biletnikoff Award as he looks to cap his Ohio State career in historic fashion.
What Comes Next for Ohio State
With Big Ten Media Days now in the rearview mirror and a fully healthy roster heading into preseason camp, Ohio State’s attention turns fully toward preparation for a season-opening matchup that’s already generating plenty of buzz nationally. Between the health returns across the offensive and defensive lines, the backfield and the secondary, and Jeremiah Smith’s public commitment to chasing another title in his final season, the pieces are in place for Ohio State to enter 2026 as one of the most complete, motivated teams in the country.
Final Thoughts
Ohio State’s path back to preseason camp has been defined by two major storylines: a full return to health across nearly every position group, and a clear, public standard set by its biggest star for what will define a successful season. With Ryan Day expressing confidence in his team’s health and Jeremiah Smith making his championship ambitions known before a single practice has even started, the Buckeyes are entering camp with both the roster continuity and the internal motivation to make a serious run at another national title.
Discover more from Allsportsreports
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
