2026 tOSU Defense Discussion.

[BB73]

Can the Buckeyes be #1 in scoring defense for a third straight year?

 

[AKAK]

Can the Buckeyes be #1 in scoring defense for a third straight year?

Yes

 

[Captain Buckeye]

Certainly can but depends what we return. The offenses we play this year will be no joke as well. Have to imagine Oregon will be solid, IU, USC, and Texas should be better equipped too.

Have to get some help on the DL though. I’d think KJ will come back but if by some miracle McDonald comes back then we are in business. I don’t think he will be who knows.

As it is we are looking at Houston and Jackson returning on the DL which is a pretty good start. We also have Matthews (more than likely) and McClain returning so that’s 4 starters returning.

This defense is going to be different though so it’ll be interesting to see what Matt Patricia does. He has discussed tailoring his defenses to what he has. So knowing that it’s going to look different without the two 6’5 245 pound head hunters. We won’t be lining up these LBs at defensive end for example.

I’d expect much more traditional looks from this group and the pressure to come from the interior (lb blitzes from a traditional depth) unlike this year where it was from the outside.

Will be interesting to see what they add in the portal.

 

[MGMT]

Faheeh Delane

 

[Captain Buckeye]

Faheeh Delane

Yeah I hear ya but he’s got basically no experience. Not sure you can just hope that works out,

But we’ll see what they do! We are going to have to add some veteran players regardless but it’ll be interesting to see where they think we are solid. Who knows maybe they love our safety room.

 

[ScriptOhio]

Can the Buckeyes be #1 in scoring defense for a third straight year?

It's too early to know; it will really depend on who else we get from the transfer portal.

 

[SEREbuckeye]

For awareness of where we’re at.


Ohio State 2026 DE

Currently on Roster
Kenyatta Jackson Jr, RS-SR, 6'6" 265 lbs
Beau Atkinson, RS-SR, 6'6" 265 lbs
Joshua Mickens, RS-JR, 6'3" 250 lbs
Zion Grady, SO, 6'4" 258 lbs
Epi Sitanilei, SO, 6'4" 239 lbs

Incoming Freshmen
Khary Whilder, FR, 6'4" 260 lbs
Dre Quinn, FR, 6'4" 228 lbs
Braxton Rembert, FR, 6'5" 200 lbs


Ohio State 2026 DL

Currently on Roster
Eddrick Houston, JR, 6'3" 292 lbs
John Walker, RS-JR, 6'4" 324 lbs
Will Smith Jr, RS-JR, 6'4" 292 lbs
Jason Moore, RS-JR, 6'6" 303 lbs

Incoming Freshmen
Emanuel Ruffin, FR, 6'4" 295 lbs
Damari Simeon, FR, 6'3" 275 lbs
Jamir Perez, FR, 6'4" 360 lbs
Darryus McKinley, 6'3" 270 lbs

 

[SEREbuckeye]

Ohio State 2026 DB group… a little thin, a little bit worried.

Currently on Roster:

LCB
Jermaine Mathews Jr, SR, 5'11" 190 lbs
Devin Sanchez, SO, 6'2" 198 lbs

SS
N/A

FS
Jaylen McClain, JR, 6'0" 201 lbs
Leroy Roker, RS-SO, 6'0" 197 lbs

RCB
N/A

NB
Miles Lockhart, RS-SO, 5'9" 197 lbs

Incoming Freshmen (All 4️)
CB Jay Timmons, FR, 5'11" 185 lbs
S Blaine Bradford, FR, 6'1" 207 lbs
CB Jordan Thomas, FR, 6'0" 189 lbs
CB Khamari Bing, FR, 6'0" 190 lbs
S Simeon Caldwell, FR, 6'1.5" 195 lbs
S Kaden Gebhardt, FR, 6'2" 200 lbs

 

[Jaxbuck]

Ohio State 2026 DB group… a little thin, a little bit worried.

Currently on Roster:

LCB
Jermaine Mathews Jr, SR, 5'11" 190 lbs
Devin Sanchez, SO, 6'2" 198 lbs

SS
N/A

FS
Jaylen McClain, JR, 6'0" 201 lbs
Leroy Roker, RS-SO, 6'0" 197 lbs

RCB
N/A

NB
Miles Lockhart, RS-SO, 5'9" 197 lbs

Incoming Freshmen (All 4️)
CB Jay Timmons, FR, 5'11" 185 lbs
S Blaine Bradford, FR, 6'1" 207 lbs
CB Jordan Thomas, FR, 6'0" 189 lbs
CB Khamari Bing, FR, 6'0" 190 lbs
S Simeon Caldwell, FR, 6'1.5" 195 lbs
S Kaden Gebhardt, FR, 6'2" 200 lbs

Going from Downs to NA might suck a little.