Ohio State Preps for Spring Game with Tackle Football

Buckeyes coach Ryan Day says this year's spring game will have a more game-like feel.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 4:37pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting an Ohio State football game, with sharp, overlapping planes of scarlet red, gray, and white capturing the raw energy and physicality of the sport.Ohio State's spring game will feature a more physical, game-like atmosphere as the Buckeyes look to redeem themselves after recent tough playoff losses.Columbus Today

Ohio State head coach Ryan Day says the Buckeyes' annual spring football game on Saturday will have a more intense, tackle-focused format compared to previous years. Day told reporters that outside of a 'thud' period, the spring game will feature full-contact, tackle football as the team prepares for the upcoming season.

Why it matters

Ohio State is coming off a national championship in 2024 but has also suffered tough losses in the College Football Playoff in recent years. The spring game will give the Buckeyes a chance to get back to full-contact action as they look to redeem themselves and return to the CFP in 2026.

The details

Day said the spring game will feel more like a real game, with the Buckeyes going full-contact and tackling, rather than the usual touch-and-go format. This will allow the team to get a better sense of where they are at heading into the offseason. Ohio State is looking to bounce back after close losses in the 2022 Peach Bowl and 2019 Fiesta Bowl, which Day said he wishes he could have back.

  • The Ohio State spring game is scheduled for Saturday, April 18, 2026.

The players

Ryan Day

The head football coach of the Ohio State Buckeyes, leading the team to a national championship in 2024.

Jeremiah Smith

A junior wide receiver returning to the Ohio State roster for the 2026 season.

Julian Sayin

The starting quarterback for the Ohio State Buckeyes in 2026.

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What they’re saying

“It can't come down to one call. You know, either of those games [Georgia or LSU], you think about the shot on Marvin [Harrison Jr.], which would have been a huge play that they didn't put the flag on where if that was a personal foul, we score and go up to two scores and that game's over or the multiple calls that happened in the '19 game. But, like, nobody cares. We can't leave it up to one call. We have to leave no doubt.”

— Ryan Day, Head Coach

What’s next

The Buckeyes will face key matchups against Texas, Indiana, and Michigan in the 2026 season as they look to secure a Big Ten title and College Football Playoff berth.

The takeaway

Ohio State's spring game will provide an early glimpse into the team's preparations for the 2026 season, as they look to redeem themselves after recent close losses in the College Football Playoff and reassert their dominance in the Big Ten.