Ohio State Earns Top-5 Spot in First 2024 College Football Preseason Rankings

ESPN released its first set of placements following Monday night's national championship, giving the Buckeyes a solid starting spot for the coming campaign.

The Ohio State Buckeyes sit in fifth place in ESPN's first 2024 college football preseason rankings.

ESPN insider Mark Schlabach published his list of teams on Tuesday, placing the Buckeyes behind four teams including the Georgia Bulldogs, Texas Longhorns and Oregon Ducks.

Finishing the 2023 campaign with an 11-2 overall record, Ohio State has had more than its fair share of ups and downs over the offseason. Several notable names have departed the program for seemingly greener pastures, but additions from recruitment and the transfer portal have made a solid effort at recouping those losses.

Here is the full list, according to Schlabach:

1. Georgia Bulldogs

2. Texas Longhorns

3. Oregon Ducks

4. Alabama Crimson Tide

5. Ohio State Buckeyes

6. Michigan Wolverines

7. Ole Miss Rebels

8. Missouri Tigers

9. Arizona Wildcats

10. Notre Dame Fighting Irish

11. Washington Huskies

12. Penn State Nittany Lions

13. Utah Utes

14. LSU Tigers

15. Oklahoma Sooners

16. Florida State Seminoles

17. Tennesse Volunteers

18. Oklahoma State Cowboys

19. Clemson Tigers

20. NC State Wolfpack

21. Kansas State Wildcats

22. Louisville Cardinals

23. Kansas Jayhawks

24. SMU Mustangs

25. Iowa Hawkeyes

There are still a handful of Buckeyes starters whom have yet to announce whether or not they will return for the coming year. Among those names are cornerback Denzel Burke and receivers Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Egbuka.

The Ohio State Buckeyes kick off their 2024 campaign on Saturday, August 31 at Ohio Stadium against the Akron Zips. A start time for the contest has yet to be released.