Ohio State is loaded with offensive skill position talent and should have an excellent defensive back seven, but it needs defensive tackle help in the transfer portal.
As Ohio State prepares for the 2025 college football season, the Buckeyes find themselves once again in the national spotlight. With a roster stacked full of playmakers on offense and a defense that returns an elite back seven, the expectations are as high as ever in Columbus. Under head coach Ryan Day and new offensive coordinator Chip Kelly, the Buckeyes are aiming for nothing less than a national championship. But while the pieces are mostly in place, one glaring issue could become their Achilles’ heel: a lack of proven depth at defensive tackle.
Offensive Firepower: A Loaded Skill Group
The Buckeyes boast arguably the most explosive set of skill position players in the nation. The offense begins with transfer quarterback Will Howard, the experienced former Kansas State starter who brings leadership, mobility, and deep-ball accuracy. Howard isn’t the flashiest name in college football, but he might be the most steadying presence Ohio State needs behind center.
In the backfield, TreVeyon Henderson returns as one of the most electric running backs in the country. After battling through injuries, Henderson closed last season with multiple 100-yard performances and showed off his signature burst and vision. He’s complemented by Dallan Hayden, and incoming freshmen like James Peoples add even more speed and versatility.
At wide receiver, the Buckeyes may have lost Marvin Harrison Jr. to the NFL Draft, but the cupboard is still full. Emeka Egbuka is back and healthy, ready to prove himself as a WR1. Carnell Tate, Brandon Inniss, and Jeremiah Smith — the latter widely considered one of the best freshman wide receivers in the country — bring game-breaking ability and depth. Tight end Gee Scott Jr. rounds out the receiving options and should thrive in Chip Kelly’s offense that loves using tight ends in the passing game.
This offense has every tool to score points in bunches. Kelly’s system, which mixes tempo with physicality and adaptability, is expected to unlock this unit’s full potential. Provided the offensive line holds up — with Seth McLaughlin arriving from Alabama to help at center and veteran guard Donovan Jackson anchoring the interior — Ohio State is in good hands.
Defensive Back Seven: Elite, Experienced, and Deep
While the offense garners headlines, the true strength of this team may lie in its defense — specifically, the back seven. Defensive coordinator Jim Knowles, now entering his third year, has this unit humming.
At linebacker, Cody Simon returns as the cerebral leader of the defense. The Buckeyes also added former Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell, a rangy, athletic playmaker with the potential to become a dominant presence inside. C.J. Hicks, the former five-star recruit, is also expected to see a larger role this season, giving the linebacker room a mix of experience, talent, and upside.
The secondary is perhaps the best Ohio State has had in a decade. Denzel Burke and Jordan Hancock are returning starters at cornerback, both with NFL upside. Behind them, Jermaine Mathews Jr. and Davison Igbinosun provide elite depth. Mathews in particular flashed serious potential as a freshman and could take on a larger role in 2025.
At safety, the Buckeyes are deep and versatile. Lathan Ransom returns after an injury cut his 2024 season short. He’ll be joined by rising star Sonny Styles, who can play anywhere from nickel to linebacker to deep safety. Malik Hartford, another young player who impressed in limited action, gives Knowles even more options.
This group is physical, fast, and smart. It’s the kind of back seven that can shut down explosive offenses and generate turnovers — the kind of unit that wins championships.
Defensive Tackle: The Critical Concern
But for all of Ohio State’s strengths, the interior of the defensive line remains a significant question mark. And for a program with national title aspirations, questions up front are the last thing you want.
The departure of Tyleik Williams and Ty Hamilton — both starters in 2024 — left a major void in the middle. Williams, in particular, was one of the most disruptive interior linemen in college football. He commanded double teams, stopped the run, and collapsed pockets. Hamilton was a steady presence and a vocal leader. Their exits were expected, but the replacements remain unproven.
Kayden McDonald is penciled in as a likely starter, and there’s hope that he can take a leap after flashing promise in rotational duty. Eddrick Houston, a five-star freshman, may be talented enough to see the field early, but counting on true freshmen to anchor the line in the Big Ten is risky business.
Behind them, the depth gets thin quickly. Hero Kanu, Jason Moore, and Will Smith Jr. are all talented but have yet to put it together on the field. None have logged significant snaps against top competition. Ohio State also brought in freshmen Jarquez Carter, Maxwell Roy, and Trajen Odom, but again — relying on underclassmen at a physically demanding position like defensive tackle is far from ideal.
The Transfer Portal: A Necessary Solution
To fill the gap, Ohio State has turned to the transfer portal — but it hasn’t been smooth sailing. Early in the offseason, the Buckeyes targeted Middle Tennessee State’s Marley Cook, a versatile defensive lineman who could play across the front. But after a visit to Miami, Cook committed to the Hurricanes.
Then came Derrick Harmon, a massive interior lineman from Michigan State who seemed like a perfect fit. Harmon visited Columbus, and momentum built around a potential commitment. But ultimately, Harmon chose to stay in East Lansing — a surprising blow to Ohio State’s plans.
The Buckeyes did land Tywone Malone, a former four-star recruit from Ole Miss by way of Jackson State. Malone has potential and athletic upside, but he’s still finding his footing at the collegiate level and hasn’t yet produced at the level of a starter. Another addition, Logan George from Idaho State, brings size and length but will face a major jump in competition.
Simply put, the portal hasn’t yet yielded the proven difference-maker Ohio State desperately needs on the interior defensive line.
What’s at Stake?
This is more than just a depth issue. In the Big Ten — especially with the additions of Oregon, Washington, USC, and UCLA — physicality at the line of scrimmage is everything. Games will be won or lost in the trenches.
A weak interior defensive line can cause a cascade of problems. Linebackers get swallowed up in traffic. Quarterbacks have time to step up in the pocket. Running backs find seams up the middle. And it doesn’t matter how good your corners are if the QB has all day to throw.
In 2023 and 2024, Ohio State had the luxury of relying on veterans who anchored the front and allowed the defense to operate freely. That stability is gone. If the Buckeyes can’t plug the hole through the portal or rapid development, it could be the only major flaw on an otherwise championship-caliber team.
Can Larry Johnson Work His Magic?
Much of the hope rests on legendary defensive line coach Larry Johnson, who has developed NFL stars like Chase Young, Nick and Joey Bosa, and Dre’Mont Jones. Johnson is widely respected for his ability to develop raw talent, and he may need to do just that in 2025.
If McDonald or Kanu take a leap, or if a freshman like Houston becomes an instant-impact player, Ohio State might get by. If Malone finds his form and becomes a true rotational force, even better. But if none of those things happen — if the defensive tackle room doesn’t rise to the occasion — it could be a fatal flaw.
Final Thoughts: A Championship Roster With One Major “If”
The bottom line? This Ohio State team is built to contend for a national title. The offense is explosive and deep. The defense has an elite secondary and versatile, athletic linebackers. But there’s one big “if” that could define the season.
If the Buckeyes can find answers at defensive tackle — whether through portal additions, player development, or schematic adjustments — they’ll have a complete roster capable of taking down the best teams in the country.
