We do this on multiple occasions throughout the offseason, and now that we are one week away from seeing YOUR Ohio State Buckeyes on the gridiron in a real, live game, it’s time to make a final call on the football team’s two-deep depth chart. We already projected the offense, now it’s time to look at the defensive side of the ball.
While everyone might be interested in whether Kyle McCord or Devin Brown will get the starting nod under center, how well Jim Knowles and staff reshapes the defense will have just as much of an impact on how far the Buckeyes will go in 2023.
From a secondary that looks to be more talented and deep, to a front seven that should create havoc for opposing offenses, to the specialists, here’s how we believe the Ohio State depth chart will look on defense this fall.
Defensive End
Projected Two Deep
STARTER | Jack Sawyer
Class in 2023 | Junior
Measurables | 6 feet, 4 inches, 265 pounds
Hometown | Pickerington, Ohio
BACKUP | Kenyatta Jackson Jr.
Class in 2023 | Sophomore
Measurables | 6 feet, 5 inches, 258 pounds
Hometown | Hollywood, Florida
Where Things Stand
Sawyer is back with his hand in the ground off the edge as opposed to standing up and reacting, and it should benefit him. He’ll be the clear starter with Kenyatta Jackson Jr. showing very well in the offseason to also find his way into the rotation.
Defensive End
Projected Two Deep
STARTER | JT Tuimoloau
Class in 2023 | Junior
Measurables | 6 feet, 4 inches, 270 pounds
Hometown | Edgewood, Washington
BACKUP | Caden Curry
Class in 2023 | Sophomore
Measurables | 6 feet, 3 inches, 250 pounds
Hometown | Greenwood, Indiana
Where Things Stand
JT Tuimoloau might have a serious breakout year and become a household name. He’ll be the unquestioned starter on one side of the line. Curry and Jackson could be plugged in on either side in a backup role and will get significant snaps to keep things fresh.
Defensive Tackle
Projected Two Deep
STARTER | Ty Hamilton
Class in 2023 | Senior
Measurables | 6 feet, 3 inches, 294 pounds
Hometown | Pickerington, Ohio
BACKUP | Tywone Malone
Class in 2023 | Junior
Measurables | 6 feet, 4inches, 303 pounds
Hometown | Jamesburg, Virginia
Where Things Stand
Ty Hamilton has already shown what he can do and got a ton of snaps last season. Malone has impressed since transferring from Ole Miss. Either way, this is going to be a rotation in which four guys get the bulk of the snaps and could be interchangeable.
Defensive Tackle
Projected Two Deep
STARTER | Mike Hall Jr.
Class in 2023 | Junior
Measurables | 6 feet, 2 inches, 290 pounds
Hometown | Streetsboro, Ohio
BACKUP | Tyleik Williams
Class in 2023 | Junior
Measurables | 6 feet, 3 inches, 318 pounds
Hometown | Manassas, Virginia
Where Things Stand
Like Hamilton, you feel good about what Hall brings in the middle. Tyleik Williams might get just as many snaps as another difference maker in a rotation that should be pretty well set and dominant.
Linebacker (Mike)
Projected Two Deep
STARTER | Tommy Eichenberg
Class in 2023 | Senior
Measurables | 6 feet, 2 inches, 239 pounds
Hometown | Cleveland, Ohio
BACKUP | Cody Simon
Class in 2023 | Senior
Measurables | 6 feet, 2 inches, 235 pounds
Hometown | Jersey City, New Jersey
Where Things Stand
As one of the best inside linebackers in the country, Eichenberg figures to build upon his breakout season last year. He’ll get the starting nod with another experienced player, Cody Simon, spelling him when needed.
Linebacker (Will)
Projected Two Deep
STARTER | Steele Chambers
Class in 2023 | Senior
Measurables | 6 feet, 1 inch, 232 pounds
Hometown | Roswell, Georgia
BACKUP | C.J. Hicks
Class in 2023 | Sophomore
Measurables | 6 feet, 3 inches, 230 pounds
Hometown | Dayton, Ohio
Where Things Stand
Both starting spots are locked in with Chambers and Eichenberg as returning starters that were very, very productive. C.J. Hicks is too talented to keep off the field and will be the future of the position. He’ll get plenty of chances to show what he can do this fall.
Cornerback (Outside No. 1)
Projected Two Deep
STARTER | Denzel Burke
Class in 2023 | Junior
Measurables | 6 feet, 1 inch, 190 pounds
Hometown | Phoenix, Arizona
BACKUP | Jyaire Brown
Class in 2023 | Sophomore
Measurables | 5 feet, 11 inches, 183 pounds
Hometown | New Orleans, Louisiana
Where Things Stand
Burke struggled to have the same production he showed his freshman season, but he’s looked healthier and more confident this offseason. He appears to be back to form. He’ll anchor the starting spot and take the assignment of the opposing team’s best receiver. Jayaire Brown was in the running to start opposite Burke but seems to have been beaten out by Jordan Hancock. He’ll still be plugged into the rotation.
Cornerback (Outside No. 2)
STARTER | Jordan Hancock
Class in 2023 | Junior
Measurables | 6 feet, 1 inch, 185 pounds
Hometown | Suwanee, Georgia
BACKUP | Davison Igbinosun
Class in 2023 | Sophomore
Measurables | 6 feet, 2 inches, 190 pounds
Hometown | Union, New Jersey
Where Things Stand
Hancock separated himself in the competition to start on the other side with Denzel Burke, but the Igbinosun has looked really good coming over from Ole Miss and will also play important snaps. The pecking order could change once the season begins and players start showing what they can do with the lights on.
Free Safety
Projected Two Deep
STARTER | Ja’Had Carter
Class in 2023 | Senior
Measurables | 6 feet, 1 inch, 203 pounds
Hometown | Richmond, Virginia
BACKUP | Malik Hartford
Class in 2023 | Freshman
Measurables | 6 feet, 2 inches, 194 pounds
Hometown | West Chester, Ohio
Where Things Stand
The competition has been fierce between Carter and Hartford, but when we gained glimpses in practice, Carter was running with the ones. This could be one that changes during the year, but Carter brings experience and playmaking ability when you turn on the tape of what he did at Syracuse before transferring. It’s unclear where the very promising Kye Stokes stands in this group.
Strong Safety
Projected Two Deep
STARTER | Lathan Ransom
Class in 2023 | Senior
Measurables | 6 feet, 1 inch, 210 pounds
Hometown | Phoenix, Arizona
Backup | Josh Proctor
Class in 2023 | Senior
Measurables | 6 feet, 2 inches, 205 pounds
Hometown | Owasso, Oklahoma
Where Things Stand
There’s no doubt Ransom will be the steady and experienced starter at the strong safety spot. Proctor still has a ton of skill but has yet to find his way into a starring role because of injury and inconsistency. He looks to be in the two-deep with another shot to show what he can do for one last year.
Nickel Safety
Projected Two Deep
STARTER | Sonny Styles
Class in 2023 | Sophomore
Measurables | 6 feet, 4 inches, 230 pounds
Hometown | Pickerington, Ohio
BACKUP | Cameron Martinez
Class in 2023 | Senior
Measurables | 5 feet, 10 inches, 198 pounds
Hometown | Muskegon, Michigan
Where Things Stand
Welcome to the Sonny Styles era. He’s received a ton of buzz and has drawn rave reviews from the defensive coaching staff. He has to be on the field because of his gamebreaking ability, and he has been penciled in as the starter at the nickel spot. Cameron Martinez provides experience and talent behind him in a very deep secondary.
Punter
STARTER | Jesse Mirco
Class in 2023 | Junior
Measurables | 6 feet, 4 inches, 220 pounds
Hometown | Fremantle, Australia
BACKUP | Joe McGuire
Class in 2023 | Sophomore
Measurables | 6 feet, 2 inches, 235 pounds
Hometown | Melbourne, Australia
Where Things Stand
Jesse Mirco returns as one of the best punters in the country, and barring injury, he’s all you’ll see. However, if needed, there’s another Australian ready to bring the thunder from down under with backup Joe McGuire.
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