Wait, it’s already time to start talking Ohio State Fall Camp? Yup! In a few short weeks, the 2026 Ohio State Buckeyes will take to the Woody Hayes Athletic Center in front of fans and media with a three-day Training Camp to kick off this year’s Fall Camp. Ohio State is coming off a solid 2025 campaign, but for the third time in four years, the Buckeyes ended the season on a two-game losing streak.
Now, it’s time to move forward and take a look at what the team will look like, one position group at a time. Up first are the specialists. A group that often receives plenty of ire from both the normal Ohio State fans and the Lunatic Fringe™, the kickers and punters have not been highlights of the roster. As a result, Ryan Day made some changes.
Special Teams a Focus at Ohio State Fall Camp
What Was Lost
This offseason, the Buckeyes lost two kickers and a punter. The one player who headed to the next level was Jayden Fielding. After three seasons as the primary field goal kicker (after starting his career as a walk-on), Fielding went undrafted and did not earn an NFL workout. He landed with the Ottawa Redblacks, but was cut loose 10 days later. He converted on 99.4% of his extra points (one miss) and 78.8% of field goals. Fielding missed four field goals in each of his three seasons.
The issue was that he missed two field goals against Michigan in 2024, one against Michigan in 2023, one against Missouri in the Cotton Bowl, the game-tying field goal with under three minutes in the Big Ten Championship against Indiana, and one in the Cotton Bowl loss to Miami (FL).
His backup also left, but it was via the portal. Jackson Courville was a walk-on in 2025 after kicking for Ball State for two seasons. He did not attempt a field goal for Ohio State, but he was 3-3 on kicks over 40 yards in 2024 for Ball State (long of 52). He transferred to Tulane.
Finally, the other specialist to leave was Australian punter with a nuke of a leg, Nick McLarty. The six-foot-seven, 255-pound punter got to punt three times in his two seasons for an average of 36.7 yards per punt. He was considered to have more power, but was inconsistent. He transferred to Arizona State.
The New Guys
With each passing day, the Fringe was getting antsy when the Buckeyes had not taken in a transfer kicker. The wait was over on January 14 when former Baylor kicker Connor Hawkins picked the Buckeyes. He was the Bears’ primary kicker in 2025, where he converted on all 37 extra points and 81.8% of his field goals. All four of his missed kicks were passed 40 yards, but he was 3-4 from beyond 50, including two 53-yarders and a 54-yarder.
He may not be perfect, but Hawkins is a marked upgrade over Fielding. He’s more accurate and has a bigger leg than Fielding. Ideally, no Ohio State games are going to be decided by a field goal, but if it is, fans should be more confident this year.
Finally, the Buckeyes brought in former Cincinnati and Houston Christian punter Brady Young. He started his career at Cincinnati and did not appear in a game in each of his first four seasons. He moved to HCU and launched 69 punts for 2,882 yards (41.8 yards per punt). Of those 69 punts, he forced five fair catches, and 17 were downed inside the 20.
He will likely battle Joe McGuire to be the punter this fall.
Special Teams, Special Players
This year’s special teams unit should be better. In addition to the two new players in the room, Day brought in an actual special teams coordinator. After leading Illinois for three seasons, Robby Discher comes to Columbus. His special teams were consistently strong, and his players earned nine All-Big Ten honors in his time.
While we highlighted Hawkins, the presumed starting kicker, the Buckeyes added two other kickers. Marcello Diomede came in via the portal from Notre Dame and missed his lone field goal attempt. Plus, true freshman Cooper Peterson was a 4.5-star kicker/punter by Kohl’s Kicking. He could be the kickoff specialist if he hits the field.
The punter battle will be interesting. McGuire kept the job over the last two seasons for being consistent. He doesn’t have the strongest leg, and he’s averaged 42.2 yards per punt in his time, but you knew what you were getting from him. The coaches could say the same for McLarty. The McGuire vs. Young battle will be as important as any. In close games, punts make a difference.
While all eyes will be on the splashy playmakers at the Ohio State Fall Camp, the special teams battles will be just as interesting. With three matchups against CFP contenders – plus the likes of USC and Michigan – this year may be the year special teams means the most in the Day era.
Main Image: Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images
