COLUMBUS, Ohio — For one Ohio State football, a new season comes with a new role and new responsibilities.
So logically he’d want to lean into that theme completely with a new look, too. At least that’s what he’s hinting at.
Jermaine Mathews announced on social media that he plans to change his number from No. 24 to No. 7 as he heads into his third season as a Buckeye. After spending the last two seasons as third on the cornerback depth chart behind Denzel Burke and Davison Igbinosun, he’s expected to move into a full-time starting role in 2025 alongside Igbinosun who put off the NFL for a final season in Columbus.
Mathews has worn No. 24 for two years mainly because the No. 7 wasn’t available. Jordan Hancock — who ironically also had to switch that number in Year 3 — wore it as OSU’s starting nickel in his final two seasons.
Burke and Hancock are off preparing for the NFL Draft having ended their college football careers as national champions. Their departure opens the door for Mathews to have everything he’s ever wanted as a Buckeye.
He’ll take over as a starting cornerback expected to be an impact player while wearing the jersey number he always dreamed of doing it in.
OSU’s 2026 QB search continues
Ohio State’s 2026 recruiting class is already home to the nation’s top player and wide receiver, Chris Henry Jr. But the second-best player and best quarterback won’t be joining him.
The Buckeyes had a small window to get back in the race for Jared Curtis following his decommitment from Georgia in October. He even included them in a top five in January. But now the five-star quarterback has narrowed down his list, making it a two-team race heading into the spring. He’ll either eventually re-commit to the Bulldogs or join Dan Lanning at Oregon.
OSU has offered 13 quarterbacks in the 2026 class and seven of which have already committed elsewhere. Curtis’ decision makes it eight who won’t end up in Columbus. New quarterback coach Billy Fessler’s search for a 2026 quarterback continues and could go even into the 2025 season. In the meantime, he already has a commitment from 2027 five-star recruit Brady Edmunds.
Going Camping
Ohio State has announced its recruiting camp dates for the summer, featuring five dates and two 7-on-7 opportunities. Each provides a chance for high school athletes to compete at the Woody Hayes Athletic Facility hoping to earn a scholarship.
- 1-Day Camps: June 5, 9, 10, 12 and 17
- 7-on-7 competitionsprovides: June 11 and 18..
Key dates
- NFL Combine: Tomorrow, Feb. 25-March 2, 2025
- Spring Practice starts: 21 days, March 17, 2025
- ‘Spring Showcase’: 47 days, April 12, 2025
- NFL Draft: 59 days, April 24-26, 2025
- Big Ten Media Days: 148 days, July 22-24, 2025
- Ohio State vs. Texas (season opener): 187 days, Aug. 30, 2025
- Ohio State vs. Penn State: 250 days, Nov. 1, 2025
- The Game 2025: 278 days, Nov. 29, 2025
- Big Ten Championship Game: 285 days, Dec. 6, 2025
- College Football Playoff first round: 298 days, Dec. 19-20, 2025
- College Football Playoff quarterfinal: 310 days, Dec. 31, 2025-Jan. 1, 2026
- College Football Playoff semifinal: 319 days, Jan. 8-9, 2026
- College Football Playoff National Championship Game: 329 days, Jan. 19, 2026
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