The Ohio State football team — ahem, the defending College Football Playoff national champions — have begun putting some of the puzzle pieces together for another run this fall with the start of spring practice last week. It’s no secret that the Buckeyes lost a ton of experience and talent with all the returning players who decided to put off the NFL to come back last year, so there’s some work to do in order to get things back to a championship level.
The thought inside and outside the building is that there’s no shortage of talent, and a little work and competition can plug some holes and have the roster in a place to contend once again for a national title.
If you follow us, you know we like to project and predict what the two-deep will look like when fall rolls around, and though it’s a tall task with what the team is faced with this offseason, we’re up for it. We already took a look at the offensive side of the ball and now it’s time to focus on the defensive side.
Here is our first take at trying to determine what the depth chart will be on the defensive side of the ball when Ohio State trots out of the tunnel at Ohio Stadium against the Texas Longhorns in Game 1 of the 2025 season.
Defensive End
Starter | Caden Curry
Backup | Logan George
Curry has had to wait his time as J.T. Tuimoloau and Jack Sawyer were doing their thing, but now it’s his time to shine. He’ll get pushed by George and Hicks, but should be in line to get the majority of the snaps this fall. He showed his playmaking ability when given the chance, and a larger sample size might just show that he’s a star waiting in the wings.
Defensive End
Starter | Kenyatta Jackson Jr.
Backup | C.J. Hicks
See above; the same applies to Jackson. He too has the size, ability, and experience to be a breakout star candidate this season now that he appears to be the next man up on one of the edges. Hicks is moving to defensive end and that could be a revelation, but Jackson gets the nod for now. These four will be interchangeable and could play either side, together, or apart, but Jackson and Curry — at least early on — will get the nod.
Defensive Tackle (3-technique)
Starter | Eddrick Houston
Backup | Tywone Malone Jr.
Ohio State doesn’t have the depth it normally does with this unit, and despite the massive departures on defense, there’s still a pretty good pecking order as far as starters go. Houston has the most experience here and it would be a surprise if he isn’t the starter entering the season. Behind that, it’ll be a toss-up competition between Malone and Jason Moore. Again, with time in the program winning out.
Defensive Tackle (nose)
Starter | Kayden McDonald
Backup | Will Smith Jr.
Much like the 3-technique, McDonald should have this locked down. Many were clamoring for him to get more playing time last year, and when he did get on the field, he flashed big play potential. Depth is an issue behind him, but it feels like Smith is in the best position to back up McDonald if the coaches don’t go into the transfer portal for more experienced depth.
Middle Linbebacker
Starter | Arvell Reese
Backup | Garrett Stover
Reese almost broke his way into the starting lineup consistently last season with his ability to cover and get downhill fast on defense. He was the clear No. 3 linebacker in the rotation last season and is the heir apparent now that Cody Simon has moved on. He should have a fantastic year. Stover doesn’t have the upside of some of the other candidates behind him, but he’s been in the program already and is a solid, steady option to back him up, at least to start the year.
Weakside Linebacker
Starter | Sonny Styles
Backup | Payton Pierce
Styles might end up being the best player on the Ohio State defense not named Caleb Downs. He began to really come into his own last season and has the ability to roam sideline to sideline and drop back in coverage when needed. He’ll make plenty of plays and highlights this season with even more development in the offseason. Pierce has drawn rave reviews from the coaching staff and will see significant time either on the weakside or in the middle. We’ll see how it all shakes out as things progress.
Cornerback No. 1
Starter | Davison Igbinosun
Backup | Aaron Scott Jr.
There’s no denying the athleticism and talent Igbinosun possesses. He should be Ohio State’s No. 1 corner next year, and if he can develop the ability to cut down on being to handsy and physical with the ball in the air, he could become a very high NFL draft pick. The future of the cornerback room would appear to have Scott as a big part of it, but there will be competition with how well the Buckeyes have recruited lately at the position.
Cornerback No. 2
Starter | Jermaine Matthews Jr.
Backup | Devin Sanchez
Matthews is ready to step in and be a starter after playing behind Burke and Igbinosun. He’s got the athletic makeup and skill to be a really good corner and showed flashes of what he can be give an opportunity. Barring a surprise, he’ll be opposite Igbinosun. Devin Sanchez is too good to keep off the field, so look for him to get time just behind the top two corners whether it be here or the other spot.
Nickel Cornerback
Starter | Lorenzo Styles Jr.
Backup | Bryce West
There’s a lot of top line corner depth to work from so you could see West, Scott, or even Sanchez see some time here. However, when in doubt you go with the guy that’s steady and been in the program, and that description fits Styles more than anyone else. This is one of those positions though that could change as the season goes on and guys start to show what they can do so don’t be surprised if a young guy makes a name here later in the year.
Free Safety
Starter | Caleb Downs
Backup | Jayleen McClain
Yeah, Downs might be the best defensive player in all of college football so you can pretty much write his name in as the starter with a sharpie. It’ll be interesting to see how the defense of Matt Patricia employs such a weapon. Behind him, Malik Hartford has the most experience but I look for the coaches to try and get the best two safeties on the field regardless of natural fit. McClain should see a lot of playing time, especially if the coaching staff continues to move Downs closer to the line of scrimmage. For now, we’ll say he backs up Downs but expect some shuffling here.
Strong Safety
Starter | Malik Hartford
Backup | Faheem Delaine
Again, if the coaches look to get the best fit of experience and talent, I look for Hartford to move over and grow into this spot. Delane is young but highly touted and might factor in when all the dust settles as one of the top four safeties in the rotation. It’ll be interesting to see how all the pieces shuffle and fit on the back-end.
Kicker
Starter | Jayden Fielding
There’s little mystery here as Fielding is the only returning kicker on the roster. It was always going to be his job coming into this season, but Ohio State will have to add another kicker either through the portal or as a walk-on for some depth. You can’t have just one kicker on the roster.
Punter
Starter | Nick McLarty
Backup | Joe McGuire
You have to think McLarty will eventually figure out how to keep the ball in play. If he does, he’ll be the starter because of his ability to unleash howitzers from that Aussie leg of his. However, if he can’t reign things in, OSU will again have to turn to a guy who just punches it downfield and then hope to cover on the other end. That will most likely be McGuire.
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