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Ohio State 2025 Defense Depth Chart Projection – Pre Spring Camp

Ohio State is losing 8 starters on defense and they will have huge holes to fill at all 3 levels of the defense. Who will step up and take over?

Patrick Weider
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Sep 28
Sep 28

By Patrick Weider 

Ohio State is coming off winning the National Championship, but most of its team is moving on. They will only be returning three defensive starters, although that includes dynamic safety Caleb Downs. The other key development for Ohio State is Jim Knowles the former defensive coordinator left to go to Penn State and long-time NFL assistant Matt Patricia will be in charge of the defense. We do not know how much the defense will change at this time. Below are the projections for Ohio State’s starting defense for next year and this is the first edition we will do.

Defensive Ends 

Starter: Kenyatta Jackson

Starter: Caden Curry

Backup: Logan George

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Backup: Zion Grady 

Losing defensive end starters Jack Sawyer and J.T. Tuimoloau will be huge losses next year. Kenyatta Jackson flashed in spot duty and has the talent to be a good pass rusher next year. He has been around the program for several years and he is ready to step up and play a bigger role. Caden Curry is like Jackson, and he has a chance to be an outstanding player for the Buckeyes next year as well. Both Jackson and Curry lack experience but should be big contributors this season

Logan George meanwhile has transferred in from Idaho, and I expect him to rotate in and play this year as he develops as a player. Zion Grady is a talented Freshman who could get onto the field for spot duty. There’s a ton of depth here, if they get an injury or two, they could be in trouble. 

Defensive Tackles 

Starter: Kayden McDonald 

Starter: Eddrick Houston

Backup: Tywone Molone 

Backup: Jason Moore

Kayden McDonald and Eddrick Houston will have huge roles next year as starting defensive tackles. McDonald is poised to step up and be a better player next year. The former 4-star prospect has talent and should be able to step up. Houston played more as a freshman than most expected, and he flashed a ton of skills. I expect him to start next season next to McDonald. Tywone Malone is an intriguing player who could also pop and make a big impact next year. Jason Moore is someone who should rotate in at defensive tackle as well. No doubt though this group will miss Tyleik Williams and Ty Hamilton, who both are off to the NFL.

Linebackers

Starter: Sonny Styles

Starter: Arvell Reese 

Backup: CJ Hicks 

Backup: Ty Howard 

I am assuming Ohio State sticks with the 4-2-5 alignment under new Defensive Coordinator Matt Patricia after it was a staple under former Defensive Coordinator Jim Knowles. So, I am projecting two linebackers here. Sonny Styles returns as one of the three starters on defense. Styles transitioned from Safety to Linebacker last year and he got better as the season continued. In the College Football Playoffs, he played at a high level. Styles are in line to have an even bigger season next year and should be in line to take a bigger leadership role next year as well.

Arvell Reese is projected as the other starter, and he feels like he has a chance to be an excellent player for the Buckeyes in his third year with the program. CJ Hicks has been around the program for years but has yet to gain any traction as a starter but is still around the program and could be used as a situational pass rusher next year. Ty Howard has transferred in from Duquesne and is slated to be a key backup and learn the ropes this season. 

Safeties 

Starter: Caleb Downs

Starter: Jaylen McClain 

Starter: Lorenzo Styles

Backup: Malik Hartford 

Backup: Miles Lockhart

Under Jim Knowles Ohio State ran a safety-driven defense. They played with three safeties on the field usually, so we are assuming it is similar again. Caleb Downs is one of the best safeties and defensive players in the country. His ability to play the run and the pass as a safety is special. He is truly a game-changer at safety. The other two safety positions are more up in the air. The battle at one spot will be between Jaylen McClain and Malik Hartford. Both are unproven players but have the skills to play the other safety position. The final safety position is a nickel cornerback. I gave this spot to Lorenzo Styles as he rotated in last year at the position and he is a good player overall.

Cornerbacks 

Starter: Davison Igbinosun

Starter: Jermaine Mathews

Backup: Aaron Scott 

Backup: Bryce West 

Davison Igbinosun comes back after deciding not to turn pro. Igbinosun has had an up-and-down career for the Buckeyes since transferring in from Ole Miss. He struggles with being too physical and gets called for a ton of penalties. If he can cut that back, he could have a strong Senior year for Ohio State. Jermaine Mathews has a chance to be a breakout star for the Buckeyes. He rotated last year and flashed some good coverage ability. Aaron Scott and Bryce West are talented cornerbacks who could push to get on the field this year. 

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