2026 Ohio Team Previews: Olentangy Liberty

It is officially July, so let's start the month with official Prep Redzone Ohio Team Previews! Throughout July and August, other team members and I will bring you previews of several schools around the state and give you an in-depth look ahead to their respective 2026 season.   Today, we look ahead at the 2024 D1 State Champions and 2025 regional semi-finalist, the Olentangy Liberty Patriots!   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">2025 Season Review (8-5)</h3>   Heading into 2025, there were mixed expectations for the Patriots. They had just won their first football state championship and graduated nearly the entire core from their run. In their first three games, the results were the same: losses. Afterward, the team rallied to finish the regular season 6-1, with their only loss coming to Olentangy Orange, who had just finished a 10-0 regular season. The youth on the team was growing, and they had returned to their defensive ways from the season prior. After a first-round victory against Newark, they pummeled rivals Olentangy 17-0 to set up a rematch with Olentangy Orange. Unfortunately, the rematch produced the same result, but Liberty gave Orange two scares over two attempts. The end goal of another state championship may not have happened, but the improvement and development of the young core may shape up another attempt this season.   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">2026 Season Outlook</h3>   Coach John Sansbury enters year four as Head Coach for the Olentangy Liberty program. With several impressive and unseen playoff runs under his belt, I see another one coming this season. Much of the young core that saw significant playing time is here, and the cohesiveness of this squad should be evident early in the season. The trenches are where Olentangy Liberty will beat most teams. They aren't necessarily the biggest, but they play with relentless energy and strong teamwork. Nobody is selfish, and they all share the same end goal: winning football games. The defense plays with patience and is strong in its schemes. The offense knows that they set their defense up, so a primary run game out of a spread offense is what you'll see from the Patriots. Olentangy Liberty does a great job of winning the turnover battle and the time-of-possession battle when they come away with big wins. I think we'll see a lot of that this season.   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Key Losses</h3>   OL Liam Hayward - John Carroll   LB Carter Kuhn - Ohio Wesleyan   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Players to Watch</h3>    Grayson is now heading into his senior year with an incredible opportunity ahead of him. Over the offseason, he has committed to Columbia University. His athleticism is impressive. His ability to explode out of his first move is evident, and he can make multiple defenders whiff on tackles. I'm excited to see the final version of Grayson's high school career.     Brock balled out in year one with the Patriots last season, and will look to make a case as one of the best offensive lineman in all of Central Ohio. Brock plays with what feels like unlimited physicality. He moves fast and strikes hard on initial contact. Brock is a complete package as a pure power blocker.     Max has taken significant strides from when I first saw him live. He reminds me of 2025 team captain Carter Kuhn. Despite the listed small size, energy and production are brought on every day. He excels at hitting gaps hard and with timing and precision. He's got good hands and can manipulate blockers when pass rushing. If Olentangy Liberty goes on a deep run, Max will likely be a big part.     Jayden was targeted a bunch over the season, and it didn't matter; you couldn't get past him. He attacks the ball well and fits the defensive scheme like a glove. He can play up high or on the boundary as a match corner. He's also a good run defender who will shoot to action and make plays down low.     Ben is a run stopper in Liberty's three-person front. He can flex inside and on the edge. He sets the edge well and gives his linebackers time to help crash onto the ball. He can get an offense to hate running on his side. Ben has been an important part of the Patriots' defensive machine.     Chase is a downhill, physical defensive back for the Patriots. He is excellent at timing his runs and doesn't overrun past the point of attack, putting himself out of position to miss easy tackles. He can blitz out of the nickel spot and be the player defensive coaches love to put in disguised looks.     Keagan plays right tackle for the Patriots, but can flex inside to guard at the next level if asked to. He impressed a lot last year, as I named him one of the best underclassmen in Columbus at the offensive line position. He plays with power and does not waste his size, as he imposes his will on smaller rushers. Keagan will be a key aspect to the success of the offense in 2026.     Alex had his time to grow into the starting quarterback role last season. He grew in confidence over the year and seemed to get better with every start. He's got the athleticism to help him out when plays break down. He can use his legs to extend plays and can make men miss on plays. He throws with timing and keeps the ball safe in key areas. Alex brings a high floor to the offense.     Mason serves as Alex's backup but has seen limited game time. I've seen plenty of Mason in the past couple years. He throws with confidence and anticipation. I am confident in saying that if Mason had to become the starter for the offense, his ability would be more than enough for the team.     I've been waiting on the Kaidan breakout and I think this will be the year the state gets to know his name. He started varsity last year, but unfortunately suffered a season-ending injury in week two. His frame has improved since I first saw him at an Indy 7v7. I hope to see him showcase his route-running and ability to separate at all levels this season for the Patriots' offense.     Ed is a massive human being and will look to be dominant in the trenches for Liberty. He plays left tackle and can do a bit of everything. He can pull as a lead blocker, anchor as a pass protector, or bull over his assignment with power on any given down. He moves exceptionally well for his size. Given the athleticism and size he showcases, not many teams will give him fits.    <h3 class="wp-block-heading">More Names to Know</h3>   2027 WR/DB [player_tooltip player_id='1703309' first='Jack' last='Rinehart']   2027 K [player_tooltip player_id='1702565' first='Carson' last='O'Morrow']   2027 LS/TE [player_tooltip player_id='1690079' first='Colton' last='Wagner']   2028 ATH [player_tooltip player_id='1652458' first='Gabriel' last='Levin']   2028 OL/DL Brayden Wallace   2029 WR/DB Mustafa Alghrawi   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">2026 Schedule</h3>   8/21 – at St. Edward   8/28  – Glenville   9/4 – Gahanna Lincoln   9/11 – at Olentangy Berlin   9/18 – Olentangy   9/25 – Dublin Coffman   10/2 – at Upper Arlington   10/9 – Hilliard Bradley   10/16 – Hilliard Davidson   10/23 – at Olentangy Orange

It is officially July, so let's start the month with official Prep Redzone Ohio Team Previews! Throughout July and August, other team members and I will bring you previews of several schools around the state and give you an in-depth look ahead to their respective 2026 season.