2024 Depth Chart Projection
- By Buckeye86
- Buckeye Football
- 56 Replies
I cope with disappointment by looking to the future with optimism. So here goes.
QB:
McCord/Brown
Kienholz/Noland
I think our expectations as fans are completely broken when it comes to QB play at Ohio State, especially for a first-year starter.
I trust Day to pick a starter next season and that the play will be better, whether that is McCord in year two or the guy who beats him in an open competition.
The good news here, especially if it’s a first-year starter again, is that Ohio State has four weeks to figure it out before Michigan State on Sept. 28, which is extremely unlikely to be a test, either. And then Iowa at home.
RB:
Dallen Hayden
Evan Pryor
Peoples/Lyle
I don’t think it’s completely outside the realm of possibility that Trayanum comes back (or even Williams), which would be a big boost here.
They lose a ton of explosion in Henderson, obviously, but I think Hayden has already shown in every chance he’s gotten that he’s more capable of grinding 5-6 yard runs in situations where another OSU RB was getting 2-3.
If Hayden is able to keep the offense on schedule more consistently, I think that opens up the offense on 2nd and short in ways that would more than make up for a lack of pure explosiveness from Henderson.
Depth is a pretty big concern if Trayanum/Williams leave, and you have to hope one of the freshman is an instant impact kind of player. RB is the easiest spot to do that.
WR:
X
Carnell Tate
Jeremiah Smith
Z
Jayden Ballard
Anyone
Slot
Brandon Inniss
Anyone
Harrison Jr. won’t be replaced, but this group is still good enough to be the best in the conference and I have no concerns about their ability to be impactful players. The limit of their success will be more on the QB than on them, in my opinion.
TE:
Thurman
Scott/Christian
I think TEs who can block are way more important to the success of a Ryan Day offense than putting up big numbers receiving like Stover did.
A walk-on getting third string reps in ‘23 isn’t a great sign for Royer (who may bounce back if he can ever stay healthy) and Hart (maybe injuries, too? I don’t know anything about his story), so I’m going with Thurman and Christian (who sat out ‘23 for PEDs) as my unknowns who give the best chance of being solid blockers.
Scott was a liability at blocking most of ‘23 and barely flashed as a receiving threat, but it is within the realm of possibility that he can step in a little bit to the Stover role as a pass threat if the coaches still want to emphasize that (which they probably do for recruiting purposes). Thurman could also be a matchup nightmare in the passing game.
Give me 6’6” 258 Thurman and 6’5” 245 Christian, with another year in the weight room, blocking effectively and I’ll be happy—anything the TEs contribute in the passing game is purely a bonus, in my opinion.
OL:
LT
Josh Simmons
LG
Donovan Jackson/Tegra Tshabola
C
Carson Hinzman
RG
Josh Fryar
RT
Luke Montgomery
Carson Hinzman improving in year two will be huge, and he should, especially with another offseason in the weight room. He was thrown into the fire a year early and held up well enough.
If Simmons improves as much from year one to year two as he did from game one to game twelve, I think we’re in decent shape there.
The Rivals insiders (Ward, Birm, Landis) have said Jackson is planning to return, which makes sense. He definitely isn’t a lock as a top round pick and can do fine with NIL as he tries to play his way into a top round pick with a bunch of returning starters on the OL who played much better down the stretch.
The coaches obviously liked Montgomery a lot this year as a true freshman, and an off-season in the weight room will be huge for him. I think Montgomery is a more naturally athletic tackle than Fryar, who can be a damn good RG.
It’s hard to project the two deep, but I think the depth will be better overall next season and I look forward to positive reviews in bowl practice and the off-season for guys working their way onto the depth chart.
DE:
Kenyatta Jackson
Caden Curry
Mitchell Melton
Omari Abor
This is by far the biggest drop off between seasons, although I think there’s a decent chance Sawyer comes back, which would help a lot.
Set expectations at average and hope for the best, in my opinion.
(I’ve said in several other threads that I think a coaching change has the potential to get a lot more out of the DL, and especially the DEs, as well.)
DT:
Hero Kanu
Tywone Malone
Kayden McDonald
Justin Scott
This is the hardest position to project who might jump early to the NFL. In the worst case scenario of Hamilton/Hall/Williams all going pro, I think Kanu and Malone would be capable of being solid starters, but the depth would be a big question mark after that.
One of Hamilton/Hall/Williams returning would be extremely helpful—2/3 returning would make DT a strength of the defense.
LB:
MIKE
Cody Simon/Gabe Powers
WILL
CJ Hicks
I can’t help but be excited for change here. Eichenberg was the captain of the defense but was physically limited from the start even without injuries that impacted his effectiveness down the stretch in each of the last two seasons.
Simon might leave, but I think there’s an above average chance he sticks around. The NIL money he can make at Ohio State has to be competitive with any late-round draft projection he might be getting. He’s been a very solid piece of the rotation and could be a very solid new captain of the defense in the middle next year.
Powers gets the nod as the one getting snaps in the backup role this season (specifically against MSU and Minnesota), although he is mostly an unknown commodity outside of that (although it is notable he jumped more senior players for those reps).
Steele was a good athlete who always seemed to lack the football instincts of an elite LB as a converted RB. CJ Hicks is a five star talent fans have been anxious to see and next year is his time to shine.
Maybe Kourt Williams pulls a Josh Proctor and makes some noise at the end of an injury plagued career.
You have to think that Day finds a place for Laurinaitis on the staff this off-season and that he gets the most of this group.
I realize it might be a “grass is always greener” fallacy, but I’m excited to see turnover here and what the next group of guys can do.
CB:
Davison Igbinosun
Jermaine Mathews
Jordan Hancock
Igbinosun has been solid (if a bit penalty prone) all year and should be even better next season. He’s physical against the run and can be an emotional leader of the defense.
Mathews flashed as the next in line of elite CBs at Ohio State as a true freshman. The future is bright for him.
Hancock will likely continue to be a key starter at nickel safety but will provide quality depth at CB as well.
And there are plenty of young players who can provide depth as well, even with some possible transfers. Like the oline depth, I’m looking forward to reports out of bowl practice and in the off-season to see who continues to separate themselves.
S:
Sonny Styles
Malik Hartford
Ja’Had Carter
Kye Stokes
The exact breakdown of starting roles is always a bit of a mystery at safety. However it shakes out, Ohio State has plenty of options and depth, especially when you factor in that Hancock is a proven difference maker who should be on the field almost every snap at Nickel.
Sonny Styles is a legit game changer who should only continue to get better and is on a path to be a first round talent.
Hartford flashed as a true freshman and looks like he has star potential.
Ja’Had Carter battled injuries but provides solid depth at the very least.
Stokes has flashed in practice and was getting limited snaps down the stretch this season.
I feel bad for discounting Cam Martinez but he just doesn’t seem to have good pass coverage instincts in limited chances this season and he might never get there —I wish him the best whatever happens.
And this is without Lathan Ransom, who’s future is uncertain but he might return after missing the end of this season with an injury.
Overall, I think the secondary is in very good shape going into next season.
____
There’s plenty of question marks, as with any new season, but plenty of room for optimism, as well.
Just like this year, it might boil down once again to the QB competition, which Ohio State fans will continue to be normal and reasonable about, I am sure.
Here’s hoping for some solid bowl practices and a motivated group of young players in the bowl game to get an even clearer, and hopefully more optimistic, preview of next season.
Go Bucks!
QB:
McCord/Brown
Kienholz/Noland
I think our expectations as fans are completely broken when it comes to QB play at Ohio State, especially for a first-year starter.
I trust Day to pick a starter next season and that the play will be better, whether that is McCord in year two or the guy who beats him in an open competition.
The good news here, especially if it’s a first-year starter again, is that Ohio State has four weeks to figure it out before Michigan State on Sept. 28, which is extremely unlikely to be a test, either. And then Iowa at home.
RB:
Dallen Hayden
Evan Pryor
Peoples/Lyle
I don’t think it’s completely outside the realm of possibility that Trayanum comes back (or even Williams), which would be a big boost here.
They lose a ton of explosion in Henderson, obviously, but I think Hayden has already shown in every chance he’s gotten that he’s more capable of grinding 5-6 yard runs in situations where another OSU RB was getting 2-3.
If Hayden is able to keep the offense on schedule more consistently, I think that opens up the offense on 2nd and short in ways that would more than make up for a lack of pure explosiveness from Henderson.
Depth is a pretty big concern if Trayanum/Williams leave, and you have to hope one of the freshman is an instant impact kind of player. RB is the easiest spot to do that.
WR:
X
Carnell Tate
Jeremiah Smith
Z
Jayden Ballard
Anyone
Slot
Brandon Inniss
Anyone
Harrison Jr. won’t be replaced, but this group is still good enough to be the best in the conference and I have no concerns about their ability to be impactful players. The limit of their success will be more on the QB than on them, in my opinion.
TE:
Thurman
Scott/Christian
I think TEs who can block are way more important to the success of a Ryan Day offense than putting up big numbers receiving like Stover did.
A walk-on getting third string reps in ‘23 isn’t a great sign for Royer (who may bounce back if he can ever stay healthy) and Hart (maybe injuries, too? I don’t know anything about his story), so I’m going with Thurman and Christian (who sat out ‘23 for PEDs) as my unknowns who give the best chance of being solid blockers.
Scott was a liability at blocking most of ‘23 and barely flashed as a receiving threat, but it is within the realm of possibility that he can step in a little bit to the Stover role as a pass threat if the coaches still want to emphasize that (which they probably do for recruiting purposes). Thurman could also be a matchup nightmare in the passing game.
Give me 6’6” 258 Thurman and 6’5” 245 Christian, with another year in the weight room, blocking effectively and I’ll be happy—anything the TEs contribute in the passing game is purely a bonus, in my opinion.
OL:
LT
Josh Simmons
LG
Donovan Jackson/Tegra Tshabola
C
Carson Hinzman
RG
Josh Fryar
RT
Luke Montgomery
Carson Hinzman improving in year two will be huge, and he should, especially with another offseason in the weight room. He was thrown into the fire a year early and held up well enough.
If Simmons improves as much from year one to year two as he did from game one to game twelve, I think we’re in decent shape there.
The Rivals insiders (Ward, Birm, Landis) have said Jackson is planning to return, which makes sense. He definitely isn’t a lock as a top round pick and can do fine with NIL as he tries to play his way into a top round pick with a bunch of returning starters on the OL who played much better down the stretch.
The coaches obviously liked Montgomery a lot this year as a true freshman, and an off-season in the weight room will be huge for him. I think Montgomery is a more naturally athletic tackle than Fryar, who can be a damn good RG.
It’s hard to project the two deep, but I think the depth will be better overall next season and I look forward to positive reviews in bowl practice and the off-season for guys working their way onto the depth chart.
DE:
Kenyatta Jackson
Caden Curry
Mitchell Melton
Omari Abor
This is by far the biggest drop off between seasons, although I think there’s a decent chance Sawyer comes back, which would help a lot.
Set expectations at average and hope for the best, in my opinion.
(I’ve said in several other threads that I think a coaching change has the potential to get a lot more out of the DL, and especially the DEs, as well.)
DT:
Hero Kanu
Tywone Malone
Kayden McDonald
Justin Scott
This is the hardest position to project who might jump early to the NFL. In the worst case scenario of Hamilton/Hall/Williams all going pro, I think Kanu and Malone would be capable of being solid starters, but the depth would be a big question mark after that.
One of Hamilton/Hall/Williams returning would be extremely helpful—2/3 returning would make DT a strength of the defense.
LB:
MIKE
Cody Simon/Gabe Powers
WILL
CJ Hicks
I can’t help but be excited for change here. Eichenberg was the captain of the defense but was physically limited from the start even without injuries that impacted his effectiveness down the stretch in each of the last two seasons.
Simon might leave, but I think there’s an above average chance he sticks around. The NIL money he can make at Ohio State has to be competitive with any late-round draft projection he might be getting. He’s been a very solid piece of the rotation and could be a very solid new captain of the defense in the middle next year.
Powers gets the nod as the one getting snaps in the backup role this season (specifically against MSU and Minnesota), although he is mostly an unknown commodity outside of that (although it is notable he jumped more senior players for those reps).
Steele was a good athlete who always seemed to lack the football instincts of an elite LB as a converted RB. CJ Hicks is a five star talent fans have been anxious to see and next year is his time to shine.
Maybe Kourt Williams pulls a Josh Proctor and makes some noise at the end of an injury plagued career.
You have to think that Day finds a place for Laurinaitis on the staff this off-season and that he gets the most of this group.
I realize it might be a “grass is always greener” fallacy, but I’m excited to see turnover here and what the next group of guys can do.
CB:
Davison Igbinosun
Jermaine Mathews
Jordan Hancock
Igbinosun has been solid (if a bit penalty prone) all year and should be even better next season. He’s physical against the run and can be an emotional leader of the defense.
Mathews flashed as the next in line of elite CBs at Ohio State as a true freshman. The future is bright for him.
Hancock will likely continue to be a key starter at nickel safety but will provide quality depth at CB as well.
And there are plenty of young players who can provide depth as well, even with some possible transfers. Like the oline depth, I’m looking forward to reports out of bowl practice and in the off-season to see who continues to separate themselves.
S:
Sonny Styles
Malik Hartford
Ja’Had Carter
Kye Stokes
The exact breakdown of starting roles is always a bit of a mystery at safety. However it shakes out, Ohio State has plenty of options and depth, especially when you factor in that Hancock is a proven difference maker who should be on the field almost every snap at Nickel.
Sonny Styles is a legit game changer who should only continue to get better and is on a path to be a first round talent.
Hartford flashed as a true freshman and looks like he has star potential.
Ja’Had Carter battled injuries but provides solid depth at the very least.
Stokes has flashed in practice and was getting limited snaps down the stretch this season.
I feel bad for discounting Cam Martinez but he just doesn’t seem to have good pass coverage instincts in limited chances this season and he might never get there —I wish him the best whatever happens.
And this is without Lathan Ransom, who’s future is uncertain but he might return after missing the end of this season with an injury.
Overall, I think the secondary is in very good shape going into next season.
____
There’s plenty of question marks, as with any new season, but plenty of room for optimism, as well.
Just like this year, it might boil down once again to the QB competition, which Ohio State fans will continue to be normal and reasonable about, I am sure.
Here’s hoping for some solid bowl practices and a motivated group of young players in the bowl game to get an even clearer, and hopefully more optimistic, preview of next season.
Go Bucks!
