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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Evan Bachman

Defensive player-by-player PFF grades for Youngstown State game

Ohio State had their home opener on Saturday in a 35-7 victory over Youngstown State. After allowing a touchdown on the opening drive the Buckeyes adjusted very well keeping the Penguins scoreless the rest of the game.

With a lot of talent returning to the Buckeyes’ defense in Jim Knowles second season as defensive coordinator, expectations were high coming into the season. So far, the expectations have been lived up to with only one touchdown and one field goal being surrendered through two games encompassing 18 drives.

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We break down each offensive position group’s performance using Pro Football Focus grades for each player. Though not the ultimate measuring stick, PFF is a good tool because it grades every player on every play.

Interior Defensive Line

USA TODAY Sports

Starter: Michael Hall Jr.

PFF Grade | 72.9 (26 snaps)
Stats | 1 tackle, 0 assisted tackle, 2 pressures and 1 sack on 15 pass rush snaps

Starter: Ty Hamilton

PFF Grade | 70.8 (26 snaps)
Stats | 3 tackles, 1 assisted tackle, 0 pressures on 11 pass rush snaps

Other: Tyleik Williams

PFF Grade | 73.3 (35 snaps)
Stats | 3 tackles, 3 assisted tackle, 0 pressures on 16 pass rush snaps

Other: Jaden McKenzie

PFF Grade | 76.8 (11 snaps)
Stats | 0 tackles, 2 assisted tackles, 1 pressure on 8 pass rush snaps

Other: Hero Kanu

PFF Grade | 59.3 (10 snaps)
Stats | 2 tackles, 0 assisted tackles, 0 pressures on 6 pass rush snaps

Other: Tywone Malone

PFF Grade | 56.4 (7 snaps)
Stats | 1 tackle, 0 assisted tackles, 0 pressures on 3 pass rush snaps

What It Means

The Buckeyes got good play out their interior defensive line rotation once again. Michael Hall Jr. is an X-factor for the defense moving forward this season as he’s been dominant when healthy throughout his time at Ohio State.

Edge Rushers

Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports

Starter: J.T. Tuimoloau

PFF Grade | 63.6 (43 snaps)
Stats | 3 tackles, 0 assisted tackles, 2 pressures on 14 pass rush snaps

Starter: Jack Sawyer

PFF Grade | 57.5 (35 snaps)
Stats | 3 tackles, 1 assisted tackles, 1 pressure on 11 pass rush snaps

Other: Kenyatta Jackson

PFF Grade | 64.5 (16 snaps)
Stats | 0 tackles, 0 assisted tackles, 2 pressures on 11 pass rush snaps

Other: Caden Curry

PFF Grade | 73.9 (16 snaps)
Stats | 2 tackles, 0 assisted tackles, 2 pressures on 9 pass rush snaps

Other: Mitchell Melton

PFF Grade | 50.4 (6 snaps)
Stats | 0 tackles, 0 assisted tackles, 0 pressures on 3 pass rush snaps

Other: Omari Abor

PFF Grade | 57.5 (4 snaps)
Stats | 0 tackles, 0 assisted tackles, 0 pressures on 2 pass rush snaps

What It Means

This was a disappointing performance from Tuimoloau and Sawyer, combining for just one pressure and no sacks. Given that both are former top recruits going up against an FCS offensive line it’s reasonable to expect more out of them even with a game plan designed to not sit back in the pocket as much.

Linebackers

Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports

Starter: Steele Chambers

PFF Grade | 72.9 (43 snaps)
Stats | 6 tackles, 2 assisted tackles

Starter: Tommy Eichenberg

PFF Grade | 81.7 (43 snaps)
Stats | 3 tackles, 1 assisted tackle

Other: C.J. Hicks

PFF Grade | 69.2 (16 snaps)
Stats | 0 tackles, 0 assisted tackles

Other: Cody Simon

PFF Grade | 68.5 (16 snaps)
Stats | 0 tackles, 0 assisted tackles

What It Means

This was another good performance from Eichenberg and Chambers. That duo will be one of the biggest strengths of the defense this season.

Cornerbacks

Adam Cairns-The Columbus Dispatch

Starter: Davison Igbinosun

PFF Grade | 66.5 (49 snaps)
Stats | 5 tackles, 0 assisted tackles, 5 receptions allowed on 6 targets for 44 yards on 25 coverage snaps

Starter: Denzel Burke

PFF Grade | 81.7 (43 snaps)
Stats | 1 tackles, 0 assisted tackles, 1 reception allowed on 5 targets for 0 yards, 1 pass breakup and 1 INT on 23 coverage snaps

Other: Jordan Hancock

PFF Grade | 63.9 (21 snaps)
Stats | 3 tackles, 1 assisted tackles, 3 receptions allowed on 4 targets for 22 yards on 12 coverage snaps

Other: Jermaine Mathews Jr.

PFF Grade | 75.2 (10 snaps)
Stats | 0 tackles, 0 assisted tackles, 1 reception allowed on 3 targets for 5 yards on 6 coverage snaps

Other: Jyaire Brown

PFF Grade | 65.5 (10 snaps)
Stats | 0 tackles, 0 assisted tackles, 0 targets on 6 coverage snaps

What It Means

The cornerback unit was a bright spot for Ohio State in this game, in particular Denzel Burke, who played lockdown coverage all day and recorded the Buckeyes first interception of the season.

Safeties

Adam Cairns-The Columbus Dispatch

Starter: Lathan Ransom

PFF Grade | 61.5 (59 snaps)
Stats | 2 tackles, 1 assisted tackle, 1 reception allowed on 2 targets for 12 yards on 30 coverage snaps

Starter: Sonny Styles

PFF Grade | 74.8 (31 snaps)
Stats | 1 tackle, 1 assisted tackle, 1 reception allowed on 1 target for 0 yards on 12 coverage snaps

Starter: Malik Hartford

PFF Grade | 66.7 (12 snaps)
Stats | 1 tackle, 1 assisted tackle, 0 targets on 5 coverage snaps

Other: Ja’Had Carter

PFF Grade | 49.8 (47 snaps)
Stats | 2 tackles, 2 assisted tackles, 1 reception allowed on 1 target for 18 yards on 25 coverage snaps

What It Means

With Josh Proctor injured, true freshman Malik Hartford got his first career start, but it was Syracuse transfer Ja’Had Carter who played the majority of snaps. This was also another good performance from the highly anticipated Sonny Styles.

Contact/Follow us @BuckeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes, and opinion. Follow Evan Bachman on X.

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