It may not be a playoff game, but Ohio State is treating it as such. The Buckeyes are playing for a Cotton Bowl win against Missouri as well as their first 12-win season since 2019.
It would be a much-needed win for Ryan Day, who has lost three straight seasons to rival Michigan. He’s not in the hot seat yet, but a bowl game win would surely keep him away from it. And he seems to have the power to do so this time, as no Buckeye has opted out of the game, aside from transfers.
Ohio State has been selected for a New Year’s Six bowl game for 10 straight seasons. It has the experience and confidence to take down a rising program like Missouri. It’ll have to do it without at least one crucial player.
MORE: Missouri vs. Ohio State odds, props, prediction for Cotton Bowl
Here’s everything you need to know about Ohio State’s roster for the Cotton Bowl.
Ohio State players skipping Cotton Bowl
The Buckeyes have yet to have a player opt out of the Cotton Bowl due to preparing for the NFL Draft. That doesn’t mean they’ll be up against the Tigers in full force.
Kyle McCord has transferred out of the program, meaning a new quarterback will have to step up for the first time since Oct. 21.
Marin Harrison Jr., who’s predicted as a top draft pick, has yet to declare for the upcoming draft. He’s traveled to Dallas with the team but has been practicing separately. That’s not to say he won’t play one final game as a Buckeye, but it would be shocking if he did.
For now, all the players not participating in the Cotton Bowl for Ohio State have transferred out of the program.
- QB
- Kyle McCord
- WR
- Marvin Harrison Jr.*
- Julian Fleming
- RB
- Chip Trayanum
- Evan Pryor
- OL
- Jakob James
- Vic Cutler
- LB
- Reid Carrico
- S
- Kye Stokes
- Cameron Martinez
- CB
- Jyaire Brown
- Ryan Turner
- DE
- Omari Abor
- PK
- Parker Lewis
*Predicted to declare for the 2024 NFL Draft
Ohio State depth chart for Cotton Bowl
With the regular season’s starter, McCord, transferring, Devin Brown gets the call up. The sophomore QB appeared in five games this season, but never started, and completed 12 of 22 passes for 197 yards. He threw for two touchdowns and one interception.
TreVeyon Henderson, another player who was expected to opt out of the game, looks like he’ll play. The running back is in Dallas practicing with the team, all but confirming he will play in the Cotton Bowl. With Harrison expected to sit out, Ohio State will rely more on Emeka Egbuka, a top pro-prospect who will be playing. Egbuka missed three three games this season with an ankle injury but still racked up four touchdowns and 452 yards.
Denzel Burke has announced he’ll put on the Buckeye jersey one last time.
Ohio State’s depth chart for the Cotton Bowl is projected as follows:
- QB
- Devin Brown, Lincoln Keinholz, Tristan Gebbia
- RB
- TreVeyon Henderson, Dallan Hayden, Xavier Johnson
- WR
- Carnell Tate, Jayden Ballard, Kojo Antwi
- WR
- Emeka Egbuka, Noah Rogers, David Adolph
- WR
- Xavier Johnson, Brandon Inniss, Bryson Rodgers
- TE
- Cade Stover, Gee Scott Jr., Patrick Gurd
- LT
- Josh Simmons, Zen Michalski, George Fitzpatrick
- LG
- Donovan Jackson, Tegra Tshabola, Austin Siereveld
- C
- Carson Hinzman, Matthew Jones, Joshua Padilla
- RG
- Matthew Jones, Enokk Vimahi, Toby Wilson
- RT
- Josh Fryar, Luke Montgomery, Trey Leroux
- DE
- JT Tuimoloau, Kenyatta Jackson Jr., Mitchell Melton
- DE
- Jack Sawyer, Caden Curry, Joshua Mickens
- DT
- Tyleik Williams, Hero Kanu, Jaden McKenzie
- DT
- Ty Hamilton, Mike Hall Jr., Kayden McDonald
- LB
- Tommy Eichenberg, Cody Simon, Gabe Powers
- LB
- Steele Chambers, CJ Hicks, Arvell Reese
- S
- Josh Proctor, Malik Hartford, Brenten Jones
- S
- Sonny Styles, Ja’Had Carter, Jayden Bonsu
- CB
- Denzel Burke, Calvin Simpson-Hunt, Lorenzo Styles Jr.
- CB
- Davison Igbinosun, Jermaine Mathews Jr., Jordan Hancock
- CB
- Jordan Hancock, Denzel Burke, Jermaine Mathews Jr.
- PK
- Jayden Fielding, Austin Snyder, Casey Magyar
- P
- Jesse Mirco, Joe McGuire, Austin Snyder
- LS
- John Ferlmann, Max Lomonico, Collin Johnson