Entering the 2023 season, Ohio State is one of just a few schools that should contend for one of the four College Football Playoff berths.
One of the reasons why is due to the talent that the Buckeyes return on their defensive line, the group coached by legend, Larry johnson. Multiple contributors headlined by Mike Hall, J.T. Tuimoloau, and Jack Sawyer make up one of the best groups in the country, but how good are they?
Brad Crawford of 247Sports tried to answer that question by ranking the top 10 defensive lines across the country and came to the conclusion that the Buckeyes group trails just one other, Georgia’s.
The rationale is fairly simple, Crawford believes that “this unit could go next level and potentially be tops in the country if Hall and Sawyer continue their development as every-down threats.”
Mike Hall Jr. highlight pack pic.twitter.com/0QuzYArihU
— Colton Denning (@Dubsco) September 4, 2022
There will be two factors for that statement to come true. With Hall, it’s all about his health. If the big defensive tackle can stay on the field, he’s a true difference maker (see above).
For Sawyer, it’s about remembering who he was in high school. Playing the Jack position last year wasn’t the best idea, because he was a square peg trying to fit into a round hole. Sawyer’s move back to defensive end hopefully unlocks his 5-star potential (see below).
Jack Sawyer is a PROBLEM 😤
That makes 5 sacks on the day for the @OhioStateFB defense pic.twitter.com/Bdcz5ij1hh
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 12, 2022
If both of those things happen, then Crawford is spot on with his assessment that the Buckeyes have one of the best defensive lines units in the country.
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