How good is Matt Patricia's first Ohio State defense? What to expect from every player

Football season is quickly approaching, and Ohio States quest to be the second team to win back-to-back titles in the College Football Playoff era is well underway.

So where does the roster stand? On Wednesday, we gave you 43 thoughts on all 43 scholarship offensive players .

Today, its 46 thoughts on Ohio States 46 scholarship defensive and special teams players.

Advertisement Players are ordered by expected impact in 2025 by position.

Defensive ends Kenyatta Jackson Jr., r-Jr.: Jackson is the best of the edge rushers.

He returns with the highest pressure rate and pass rush win rate of the group, per Pro Football Focus, and was an impact player amid the championship run.

With Jack Sawyer and JT Tuimoloau gone to the NFL, Jackson will get starter reps for the first time in his career.

His 19 snaps per game last year will likely increase to around 40 now, and the potential is there for him to be a star.

Caden Curry, Sr.: Curry arrived at Ohio State as a four-star prospect from Indiana in 2022 and showed some flashes of brilliance early in his career.

This is his first chance to get starter-level snaps, though.

He has a good mix of strength and athleticism to keep offensive tackles on their toes, but like Jackson, he has big shoes to fill in stepping up from a reserve role.

He played 220 snaps last season, second among the second-team defensive linemen behind Jackson.

Beau Atkinson, r-Jr.: We havent seen the spring North Carolina transfer at Ohio State yet, but he was a capable pass rusher for the Tar Heels despite not starting.

He led UNC with 12 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks, and there should be little doubt hell at least have a rotational role.

Well find out whether he can take a starting job from Curry.

Logan George, Jr.: George was a winter transfer addition from Idaho State, an FCS team where he had 19.5 tackles for loss last season.

He made an impression on the coaching staff right away during Playoff practices and appears to have solidified himself in the two-deep defensive end rotation.

Hes a natural pass rusher who uses his strength to overpower linemen.

Hell be a contributor on the second-team unit, which should give him around 20 snaps per game.

Advertisement C.J.

Hicks, Sr.: Hicks is one of the Buckeyes most fascinating storylines of the offseason.

A former five-star recruit, Hicks didnt have much success as a stand-up linebacker in Jim Knowles scheme.

Now under new defensive coordinator Matt Patricia, hes moved to a full-time defensive end role to utilize his athleticism.

Where he fits in the rotation is a question, especially given the transfer additions of Atkinson and George, but hes a talented player who Ohio State could use on the edge in its rushman package or in other creative sets because of his versatility.

Zion Grady, Fr.: The No.

81 player in the 247Sports Composite in the Class of 2025 is an intriguing prospect who could be one of the freshmen who get on the field early.

Hes a natural at rushing the passer, but the key will be carrying spring momentum into the summer and preseason camp.

At the end of spring practice, I thought the snaps would be there, but Atkinsons late addition changes the outlook.

Still, Grady has a bright future and could be in line for a sizable role a year from now.

Josh Mickens, r-Soph.: We havent seen much from the four-star recruit in his first two seasons, as he played just 24 defensive snaps last season, the lowest of any non-freshman.

This is an important year in the development of Mickens, who at this point will just be counted on for depth.

Dominic Kirks, r-Fr.: Kirks played just seven snaps his freshman year.

Hes still a bit further down the depth chart in whats become a deep position thanks to transfer additions, but he enters camp with the ability to push for a third-string spot.

Epi Sitanilei, Fr.: The California native wasnt on campus this spring, so hes a bit of an unknown and will utilize the summer to adjust.

He was a first-year starter as a senior at St.

John Bosco High School, but he has the frame at 6 feet 5 and 220 pounds to compete down the line if he continues to develop.

Defensive tackles Kayden McDonald, Jr.: McDonald returns as the most experienced defensive tackle on the roster after playing 206 snaps.

Hes a strong tackle at 326 pounds, making him especially valuable in the red zone.

He also showed some ability to take double-teams and make plays through them.

Now, hes going to have to be a consistent force in the middle with starters Tyleik Williams and Ty Hamilton gone.

Advertisement Eddrick Houston, Soph.: Houston made the change from edge rusher to defensive tackle last year look easy.

The five-star recruit played 134 defensive snaps as a freshman and finished with seven tackles and two passes defended.

He projects to be a starter this year.

Houston and McDonald make for a talented duo, though one that needs to show they can play at a high level for an entire game.

I think this could be a breakout year for Houston that puts him on an NFL Draft track next season.

Tywone Malone, r-Sr.: There were some bright spots for Malone last season, but he seems to be a step behind McDonald and Houston right now.

His preseason camp might be one of the most important on the team.

Ohio State cant play Houston and McDonald for 60 snaps and needs its second rotation group to prevent a major fall-off, which is where Malone comes in.

If he can show he can make a consistent impact with 20-25 snaps per game, that will help.

Jason Moore, r-Soph.: A former top-100 recruit, Moore has shown the coaching staff he can play at a high level in spurts, but the preseason camp will be crucial one for him.

Moore seems to be the best competition for Malone to back up Houston right now.

There is playing time to be had for Moore if he can put together a strong camp.

Will Smith Jr., r-Soph.: Smith is another person Ohio State is counting on to improve during camp.

In an ideal world, he is the prime candidate to back up McDonald, with Moore and Malone behind Houston, but Smith didnt play in the spring game.

He played more nose tackle during spring practices..

Eric Mensah, r-Fr.: Mensah played just seven snaps last season and got some second-team reps in the spring.

Nobody has locked down the second-team reps at defensive tackle yet, but hes behind the rest of the candidates right now.

Jarquez Carter, Fr.: Carter is a four-star recruit from Florida who was on campus during the spring and was the fifth defensive tackle to see playing time during the spring game.

Hes still developing, but he seems to be the most likely of the freshmen to see playing time this season.

Trajen Odom, Fr.: The three-star recruit from North Carolina enrolled early and participated in spring practice, but he will likely spend this season developing behind the scenes.

Maxwell Roy, Fr.: Roy wont be on campus until the summer, so camp is going to be about adjustments for the Philadelphia native.

He was at 285 pounds in high school and could be the right build for a nose tackle, with versatility to play both nose and three-tech for Ohio State.

Linebackers Sonny Styles, Sr.: Styles returns as one of the best linebackers in the country.

In his first year at the position full-time after moving from safety, he tallied 100 tackles and 10.5 tackles for a loss.

The five-star 2022 recruit projects to be the leader of the defense this season amid a coordinator change.

Advertisement Arvell Reese, Jr.: Reese was one of the major winners last offseason and shot up to the third linebacker job, recording 43 tackles in a rotational role.

This season, he should be a starter, giving the Buckeyes an athletic two-man duo at inside linebacker.

He has a 6-4 frame that allows him to be a pest closing passing lanes through the air, and hes a natural at getting to the ball in the run game, as well.

Payton Pierce, Soph.: Pierce was one of the biggest climbers this spring.

He benefited from Hicks moving to defensive end and took advantage of every rep he got to position himself to be the third linebacker this season.

The four-star recruit from Texas played 30 defensive snaps as a freshman but is in line for more depending on how Patricia wants to use his linebackers.

Riley Pettijohn, Fr.: Its hard to miss Pettijohn when hes on the field, and thats a good thing for a freshman in his first spring.

Hes unlikely to jump Reese in the first-team rotation, but a strong camp could see him battling with Pierce for second-team reps.

The top-50 recruit from Texas is an exciting prospect because hes so versatile.

He can play mike or will linebacker, which will allow Ohio State to get him on the field more.

TJ Alford, Fr.: Alford, a four-star prospect, is next up in a strong three-man freshman linebacker class.

This is a deep linebacking corps, so its unlikely he jumps into meaningful snaps right away, but a good spring has him positioned in the three-deep and likely the fifth linebacker overall.

He has a bright future.

Ty Howard, r-Jr.: Howard was an interesting addition as a transfer from Duquesne.

I didnt think the Buckeyes needed linebacker help, but they got an all-conference FCS player in Howard.

The key for Howard to get on the field is making a difference on special teams, given the logjam in the unit.

Garrett Stover, r-Fr: Much like Howard, Stovers best chance to make an impact will be on special teams.

The four-star recruit from Ohio could make a play for second-team snaps if theres an injury or one of the freshmen falters in camp.

Eli Lee, Fr.: It was good for Lee to go through the spring, but hell be a depth player for the linebackers this year.

The three-star recruit Ohio native is likely to redshirt.

Advertisement Cornerbacks Davison Igbinosun, Sr.: Instead of leaving for the NFL Draft, Igbinosun returned to lead another talented secondary.

Hell have to cut down on the pass interference penalties that plagued him last year, as he had 16 penalties five more than any defensive player in the country, per PFF but theres no doubt hes a physically gifted corner.

At 6 feet 2, he can use his body well at the line and can make up for getting beat with his long wingspan.

Igbinosun might turn himself into a higher draft pick with a strong senior season.

Jermaine Mathews Jr., Jr.: Mathews is my favorite corner prospect on this roster.

The 5-11 junior is as competitive as they come, plays with an edge and is pretty versatile.

Mathews gives cornerbacks coach and co-defensive coordinator Tim Walton a lot of options for his personnel, too.

Mathews played outside a lot last season, but he worked at nickel in spurts this spring.

Hes physical enough to play inside on third down in dime packages and good enough technically to play on the outside in more traditional formations.

Lorenzo Styles, r-Sr.: Styles has had an interesting journey.

He went to Notre Dame because he wanted to play wide receiver and then turned into an impactful nickel corner at Ohio State.

The question now is if he do it every down and hold that spot with so many young players nipping at his heels in preseason camp.

Id pick him to start the season at nickel, but I think the rotations will change game to game.

Aaron Scott, Soph.: Scott was a five-star corner in the 2024 class and had a stellar spring.

The versatility of this group puts the Ohio native in a position where there is playing time to be earned even if its not every down.

Right now hes a backup on the outside, but a good preseason camp could force Walton and the staff to find playing time for him, especially if they decide to move Mathews inside.

Devin Sanchez, Fr.: Sanchez might be the most hyped freshman on the roster and had a strong spring to start his career after signing as the top-ranked cornerback in the country.

Hes physically imposing at 6-2 and competes on every route.

Its too early to pencil him in as a starter, especially with the talent at the top of the depth chart.

But if hes as good in preseason camp as many expect, hes going to force the staff to make some tough decisions about playing time.

Bryce West, r-Fr.: West signed in the 2024 class with Scott, forming a highly touted corner duo.

Though he played just 28 defensive snaps as a freshman, he made some plays that showed his potential.

He played a lot in the slot this spring and will begin the summer behind Styles, but hes another versatile piece with a high ceiling who can push for more time.

Miles Lockhart, r-Fr.: The 5-foot-9 Arizona native has been a prime candidate for the slot corner spot since he committed in the 2024 class.

Hes physical but has found himself further down the depth chart right now.

He might be a year away from breaking through for meaningful snaps on defense, though he should find a role on special teams.

Jordyn Woods, Fr.: Woods wasnt in Columbus for the spring and will likely redshirt after signing as a three-star recruit.

Still, hes 6 feet 3, giving him intriguing size for a cornerback.

Safeties Caleb Downs, Jr.: What else is there to say about the best safety in the country? The Alabama transfer showed last year that he can play at a high level in coverage and is one of the best open field tacklers in the country.

Im interested to see how Patricia will utilize him in his defense, because Downs is at his best when hes roaming the field instead of just being the high safety in coverage.

Advertisement Malik Hartford, Jr.: Hartford has been waiting patiently for his chance and the departure of Lathan Ransom opened up a spot for him.

The junior took most of the first-team reps with the defense this spring and brings a mix of size, at 6-3, and experience to the field.

He hasnt played the most snaps of the group just 94 defensive snaps last season but hes played in meaningful games dating back to his freshman year.

Now it just becomes a matter of how much he can distance himself from Jaylen McClain.

Jaylen McClain, Soph.: McClain is Hartfords main competition for the second safety spot.

Hartford has the upper hand right now, but McClain was good in his 106 defensive snaps last year.

Theres a chance that Ohio State employs three safeties at times, which would put McClain alongside Downs and Hartford.

Faheem Delane, Fr.: Delane is a versatile player who seemed perfect for a Knowles-coached defense.

Although Knowles is gone, Delane still fits into what the Buckeyes want to do.

Hes an athletic safety capable of using his body to make plays at the line of scrimmage.

He enrolled early for spring practice and will have a chance of breaking into the two-deep as a freshman.

Hell likely get a chance to make an impact on special teams too.

Leroy Roker, r-Fr.: Roker is an under-the-radar player who can challenge for a two-deep spot in this group.

The three-star prospect from the 2024 class had a good spring and showed flashes of his potential in his first year on campus.

Hes a versatile player who, as of now, is slotted as the third-string safety behind Downs and Delane, though he could challenge Delane for the spot.

Keenan Nelson, r-Jr.: Nelson transferred from South Carolina last offseason but didnt see the field for any defensive snaps last season and missed most of the spring while injured.

He played in 15 games for the Gamecocks, so hes too experienced to forget about.

This preseason camp is make or break for Nelson, though, because of the number of high-potential young players on the depth chart.

Cody Haddad, Fr.: A three-star recruit from Cleveland, Haddad arrived in the spring, which was good for his development.

But hes likely to redshirt with no realistic path to the field this year.

Deshawn Stewart, Fr.: Stewart, a New Jersey native, is a three-star recruit who, like Haddad, will have a difficult time earning early playing time.

He was on campus for the spring but didnt play in the spring game.

Advertisement Special teams Jayden Fielding, Sr., K: Although Fielding missed a few kicks at the end of the regular season, he came up clutch in the postseason, making two field goals in the national championship.

He finished 13-of-17 and should be the starting kicker in his final season.

Joe McGuire, r-So., P: There might be a punter competition in camp between McGuire and Nick McLarty, but McGuire is the leader right now due to his consistency last season.

He averaged 42 yards on 47 punts.

Jackson Courville, Jr., K: Ohio State added Courville in the spring portal because it wanted to bring in a kicker with a strong leg.

The Ball State transfer made two kicks over 50 yards last year, going 11-of-13 overall on field goals.

He could challenge Fielding, but otherwise hes a redshirt candidate who could have two years of eligibility left when Fielding is done next winter.

Nick McLarty, r-Fr., P: McLarty attempted just two punts last season, so he didnt get a lot of experience, but he has the strongest leg of the punters.

His issue is consistency, which is one of McGuires strengths.

Still, McLartys power is enough to at least spark another competition.

John Ferlmann, r-Sr., LS: Ferlmann is Ohio States lone long-snapper and should continue to give the Buckeyes consistency there.

(Top photo of Eddrick Houston: Mark J.

Rebilas / Imagn Images).

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