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Phil Harrison

Ohio State football projected depth chart on defense for 2023, final call

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.

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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

Jamie Sabau/Getty Images

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

Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports

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

Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports

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

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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)

Adam Cairns-The Columbus Dispatch

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)

Adam Cairns-The Columbus Dispatch

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)

David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

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)

Joseph Scheller-The Columbus Dispatch

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

Justin Berl/Getty Images

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

Adam Cairns-The Columbus Dispatch

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

Adam Cairns-The Columbus Dispatch

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

USA TODAY Sports

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.

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 Phil Harrison on X.

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