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- Thread starter Zem
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Logan George was really impressive looking, if he can rotate in at DE that would be a nice boost. All my Idaho folks that know him say he's a great kid and extremely hard worker, but it looks like the talent is there for him to play some serious minutes.
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ScriptOhio
Everybody is somebody else's weirdo.
Ohio State's projected depth chart: Defense
What does Ohio State's projected depth chart look like with spring ball in the rear view mirror? We are going to take a stab at it today.
Defensive End
Starters: Caden Curry (6-3, 260, Sr.), Kenyatta Jackson (6-6, 258, 4Jr.)Backups: Logan George (6-4, 250, Jr.), C.J. Hicks (6-3, 235, Sr.)
Defensive Tackle
Starters: Eddrick Houston (6-3, 285, So.), Kayden McDonald (6-2, 330, Jr.)Backups: Jason Moore (6-6, 305, 3So.), Will Smith Jr. (6-4, 288, 3So), Tywone Malone (6-4, 301, 5Sr.), Eric Mensah (6-3, 308, RFr.)
Linebacker
Starters: Sonny Styles (6-4, 235, Sr.), Arvell Reese (6-4, 238, Jr.), Payton Pierce (6-2, 225, RFr.)Backups: Riley Pettijohn (6-2, 215, Fr.), T.J. Alford (6-1, 225, Fr.), Garrett Stover (6-1, 220, RFr.)
Cornerback
Starters: Davison Igbinosun (6-2, 193, Sr.), Jermaine Mathews Jr. (5-11, 189, Jr.)Backups: Aaron Scott Jr. (6-1, 185, So.), Devin Sanchez (6-2, 190, Fr.)
Nickel back/slot corner
Starter: Lorenzo Styles Jr. (6-1, 195, 5Sr.)Backup: Bryce West (5-11, 196, RFr.)
Safety
Starters: Caleb Downs (6-0, 205, Jr.), Jaylen McClain (6-0, 192, So.)Backups: Malik Hartford (6-3, 194, Jr.), Faheem Delane (6-1, 210, Fr.)
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ScriptOhio
Everybody is somebody else's weirdo.
The Ohio State football program has one big issue that needs to be fixed
If Ohio State can clean up this issue, they have a really good chance to repeat as national champions.
scarletandgame.com
The Ohio State football program has one big issue that needs to be fixed
If Ohio State can clean up this issue, they have a really good chance to repeat as national champions.The Ohio State football program is still one of the teams that has the best chance to win a national championship this season. Along with Texas, they have the best odds to win it all. Those two teams play each other in the first game of the season in the Shoe.
While Ohio State has a lot of talent on both sides of the ball returning for this season, they also have a decent number of players who have left. Because of that, there is one big issue that the Buckeyes must still fix. That issue is figuring out a good defensive rotation on the defensive line.
For years, the Ohio State Buckeyes rotated a lot of players up front on the defensive line. They didn't do that as much over the last couple of years because of Jim Knowles' influence. With Knowles gone, that rotation might start back up. They have to figure out what that rotation might be, now.
The Ohio State football team must figure out its defensive line rotations
As we saw in the Spring Game, there is still a massive issue when it comes to Ohio State and getting pressure up front on the defensive line. The Buckeyes were able to add Beau Atkinson to help with that, but they still have some problems getting players to rush up the middle..
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ScriptOhio
Everybody is somebody else's weirdo.
Burning Questions: Can Ohio State’s new defensive line measure up?
The Buckeyes need to reload their vaunted D-line after losing all four starters to the NFL.
www.landgrantholyland.com
Burning Questions: Can Ohio State’s new defensive line measure up?
The Buckeyes need to reload their vaunted D-line after losing all four starters to the NFL.Ohio State used mutliple players to spell the starters or to take over in the second half of lopsided games. A couple of those who could have helped in 2025 — defensive lineman Hero Kanu and outside rusher Mitchell Melton — have moved on through the transfer portal.
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The replacements for the four starters seem to be set in stone, but key backups must be identified and they must produce. Caden Curry has flashed at defensive end in a backup role, providing 4.5 sacks over the last three seasons, and now he’ll be tasked with being on the field for a lot more snaps. Opposite from him will likely be Kenyatta Jackson, Jr., who has chipped in three sacks of his own from 2022-2024.
The bulk of the work will be theirs now, while Idaho State transfer Logan George and outside linebacker C.J. Hicks will push them and, when needed, spell them. North Carolina transfer Beau Atkinson is an unknown commodity who can help, while younger players like Zion Grady and veteran backups such as Joshua Mickens can also play a role.
Inside, Kayden McDonald and Eddrick Houston seem the logical starters at nose tackle and the 3-technique, respectively. Both players shone brightly at times during Ohio State’s 2024 season. However, there’s a big difference between spelling a tired starter or playing a worn-down team in the second half of blowouts and stepping up one’s game to provide consistent stability week in and week out from the first snap. There are a lot of questions beyond those two on the interior defensive line.
Tywone Malone, Jr., and Eric Mensah are two players who could break out in 2025. Will Smith, Jr., and Jason Moore are in the mix as well.
If Ohio State’s defensive replacements — especially on the line — can contribute at or near the level of those for whom they are taking over, and if Larry Johnson, Jr., can get as much out of his defensive linemen in Matt Patricia’s system as he did a year ago under Jim Knowles, the Buckeye defense should again be one of the best in America.
But, at least for now, that remains one of the most burning questions of this offseason.
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Burning Questions: Can Ohio State’s new defensive line measure up?
The Buckeyes need to reload their vaunted D-line after losing all four starters to the NFL.Burning Questions: Can Ohio State’s new defensive line measure up?
The Buckeyes need to reload their vaunted D-line after losing all four starters to the NFL.
Ohio State used mutliple players to spell the starters or to take over in the second half of lopsided games. A couple of those who could have helped in 2025 — defensive lineman Hero Kanu and outside rusher Mitchell Melton — have moved on through the transfer portal.
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continued
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The replacements for the four starters seem to be set in stone, but key backups must be identified and they must produce. Caden Curry has flashed at defensive end in a backup role, providing 4.5 sacks over the last three seasons, and now he’ll be tasked with being on the field for a lot more snaps. Opposite from him will likely be Kenyatta Jackson, Jr., who has chipped in three sacks of his own from 2022-2024.
The bulk of the work will be theirs now, while Idaho State transfer Logan George and outside linebacker C.J. Hicks will push them and, when needed, spell them. North Carolina transfer Beau Atkinson is an unknown commodity who can help, while younger players like Zion Grady and veteran backups such as Joshua Mickens can also play a role.
Inside, Kayden McDonald and Eddrick Houston seem the logical starters at nose tackle and the 3-technique, respectively. Both players shone brightly at times during Ohio State’s 2024 season. However, there’s a big difference between spelling a tired starter or playing a worn-down team in the second half of blowouts and stepping up one’s game to provide consistent stability week in and week out from the first snap. There are a lot of questions beyond those two on the interior defensive line.
Tywone Malone, Jr., and Eric Mensah are two players who could break out in 2025. Will Smith, Jr., and Jason Moore are in the mix as well.
If Ohio State’s defensive replacements — especially on the line — can contribute at or near the level of those for whom they are taking over, and if Larry Johnson, Jr., can get as much out of his defensive linemen in Matt Patricia’s system as he did a year ago under Jim Knowles, the Buckeye defense should again be one of the best in America.
But, at least for now, that remains one of the most burning questions of this offseason.
DE is going to be fine I feel. DT we need some major injury luck this season though, there looks like a sizeable drop-off after the main guys.
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Two guys can’t play every snap of every game.
It’s a major problem if guys off the bench don’t improve.
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