As we turn the page and look ahead to 2023, we’ll take a few looks at projecting the Ohio State football depth chart. We usually take a very early stab after some of the most important roster spots are known after the NFL declarations and transfer portal shenanigans are nearly complete, and that’s where we are today.
We already tried to peer into the crystal ball to look at the offensive depth chart for 2023, and now it’s time to gaze across the line to the other side of the ball. The Buckeyes do return quite a bit of talent on side of the line of scrimmage responsible for stopping the opponents, but there were some issues with giving up big plays and not playing up to standards against the better teams.
So, in other words, some spots could be up for grabs.
Defensive coordinator Jim Knowles will have plenty of pieces to work with in his second year on the sidelines, and this is how we see things shaking up as a knee-jerk, off-the-cusp effort. This will all change as we get more observations and get a look at spring and beyond, so we’ll continue to adjust as we know more.
Defensive End/Jack
Projected Two Deep
Starter | Jack Sawyer
Class in 2023 | Junior
Measurables | 6-feet, 4-inches, 267 pounds
Hometown | Pickerington, OH
Backup | Caden Curry
Class in 2023 | Sophomore
Measurables | 6-feet, 3-inches, 250 pounds
Hometown | Greenwood, IN
Where Things Stand
The aptly named, “Jack” Sawyer saw significant time in this position and should be the answer here again. The position is still a bit of a mystery as to how it will be utilized next year, but Sawyer will get on the field a lot regardless. Based on snap counts and observations from last year, Caden Curry looks like he’ll provide depth.
Defensive End
Projected Two Deep
Starter | J.T. Tuimoloau
Class in 2023 | Junior
Measurables | 6-feet, 4-inches, 270 pounds
Hometown | Edgewood, WA
Backup | Kenyatta Jackson
Class in 2023 | Sophomore
Measurables | 6-feet, 5-inches, 239 pounds
Hometown | Hollywood, FL
Where Things Stand
J.T.T. is a star and should anchor one of the edge spots with a potential monster year. Who gets the bulk of the backup snaps remains a mystery, but Kenyatta Jackson saw has the most experience (albeit not a lot) behind him with the departure of Zach Harrison. As a general statement, guys like Omari Obar, and freshmen Joshua Mickens and Will Smith Jr. will also arrive on campus and try to fit into the rotation somehow.
Defensive Tackle (3-technique)
Projected Two Deep
Starter | Tyleik Williams
Class in 2023 | Junior
Measurables | 6-feet, 3-inches, 318 pounds
Hometown | Manassas, VA
Backup | Hero Kanu
Class in 2023 | Sophomore
Measurables | 6-feet, 4-inches, 305 pounds
Hometown | Rancho Santa Margarita, CA
Where Things Stand
Tyleik Williams seems like a no-brainer here, but who will provide depth? Hero Kanu has the size and ability to work his way into the two-deep. OSU loses a lot of experience on the line, so someone will need to step up and provide quality depth.
Defensive Tackle (Nose)
Projected Two Deep
Starter | Ty Hamilton
Class in 2023 | Senior
Measurables | 6-feet, 3-inches, 294 pounds
Hometown | Pickerington, OH
Backup | Mike Hall Jr.
Class in 2023 | RS Sophomore
Measurables | 6-feet, 2-inches, 290 pounds
Hometown | Streetsboro, OH
Where Things Stand
Two very productive players, it’s possible that one might slot over and play the 3-technique, but both are more suited at nose and played there extensively last season. In reality, both will see significant time so you can consider them as almost equals at the position.
Linebacker (Mike)
Projected Two Deep
Starter | Tommy Eichenberg
Class in 2023 | Senior
Measurables | 6-feet, 2-inches, 239 pounds
Hometown | Cleveland, OH
Backup | C.J. Hicks
Class in 2023 | RS Sophomore
Measurables | 6-feet, 3-inches, 225 pounds
Hometown | Dayton, OH
Where Things Stand
We know what we have with Eichenberg. Getting him to return and hold off on the NFL is huge. You have to figure Hicks will see more playing time this season. It could come here or even at the Will position depending on how things shake out.
Linebacker (Will)
Projected Two Deep
Starter | Steele Chambers
Class in 2023 | RS Senior
Measurables | 6-feet, 1-inch, 232 pounds
Hometown | Roswell, GA
Backup | Cody Simon
Class in 2023 | RS Junior
Measurables | 6-feet, 2-inches, 239 pounds
Hometown | Jersey City, NJ
Where Things Stand
Steele Chambers was a steady force here and should be the same, also making the decision to come back for another season. Cody Simon showed flashes in 2021 and backed him up last season. It’ll be interesting to see if anyone else gets in the mix.
Cornerback (Outside No. 1)
Projected Two Deep
Starter | Denzel Burke
Class in 2023 | Junior
Measurables | 6-feet, 1-inch, 190 pounds
Hometown | Phoenix, AZ
Backup | Jordan Hancock
Class in 2023 | RS Sophomore
Measurables | 6-feet, 1-inch, 185 pounds
Hometown | Suwanee, GA
Where Things Stand
Burke had a challenging year in 2022 but showed what he was capable of in his freshman year. He should still lock down one of the corner spots, with Hancock could play his way into a starting spot at the other corner, but was mostly in backup mode last season, but didn’t see as many snaps as Jyaire Brown.
Cornerback (Outside No. 2)
Projected Two Deep
Starter | Jyaire Brown
Class in 2023 | Sophomore
Measurables | 5-feet, 11-inches, 180 pounds
Hometown | New Orleans, LA
Backup | Jermaine Matthews
Class in 2023 | Freshman
Measurables | 6-feet, 175 pounds
Hometown | Cincinnati, OH
Where Things Stand
There’s not a whole lot of quality depth to play around with at the corner spot with some defections in the transfer portal, but Brown saw the most time with who is left on the roster. Ohio State might need to rely on freshman Jermaine Matthews to contribute or move someone like Cam Martinez over who also had some time last season in practice at corner. For now, we say Martinez stays at safety in Jim Knowles’ defense.
Free Safety
Projected Two Deep
Starter | Kye Stokes
Class in 2023 | Sophomore
Measurables | 6-feet, 1-inch, 190 pounds
Hometown | Seffner, FL
Backup | Sonny Styles
Class in 2023 | Sophomore
Measurables | 6-feet, 4-inch, 222 pounds
Hometown | Pickerington, OH
Where Things Stand
As a whole, there’s a lot to work with at the safety position, as there should be in a Jim Knowles defense that relies heavily on playmakers and leadership out of this group. All of these could mix and match and end up in different safety positions, but it might be time for Kye Stokes to show up and flash some of what we saw in the spring last season. However, the 5-star talent, Sonny Styles, could also make this spot his own.
Strong Safety
Projected Two Deep
Starter | Lathan Ransom
Class in 2023 | RS Junior
Measurables | 6-feet, 1-inch, 205 pounds
Hometown | Phoenix, AZ
Backup | Kourt Williams
Class in 2023 | Sophomore
Measurables | 6-feet, 1-inch, 220 pounds
Hometown | Harbor City, CA
Where Things Stand
Lathan Ransom was the unquestioned leader out of this spot last year and should be again with his return. Kourt Williams is talented but has been marred by injury. If he’s healthy, he could play an even bigger role than backing someone up, and it may even come out of another of the safety positions. For now, though, we’ll err on the side of caution while we see how capable he is.
Nickel Safety
Projected Two Deep
Starter | Ja’Had Carter
Class in 2023 | Junior
Measurables | 6-feet, 2-inches, 198 pounds
Hometown | Richmond, VA
Backup | Cameron Martinez
Class in 2023 | RS Junior
Measurables | 5-feet, 10-inches, 190 pounds
Hometown | Muskegon, MI
Where Things Stand
You have to think that transfer portal find Ja’Had Carter should jump right into a leadership position with the departure of Tanner McCalister. The coaching staff went out and secured his services because of the experience and talent that can fit in right away. Cam Martinez is an interesting dilemma because he’s a bit of a Swiss Army knife. Will he fit in at safety, or move to cornerback? Can he break into the starting rotation? We’ll have to let things play out in the spring and fall camp.
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