Ohio State football post-spring projected depth chart on defense

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Now that we are past spring ball and the 2026 NFL draft, it feels like a good time to see where things land with a projected two-deep depth chart for the Ohio State football team. It’s no easy task with 51 new players in the program, but we did get to see some reps and hear some guys start to make a name for themselves during the spring, so what we thought we knew after the transfer portal closed is much different now.

In fact, what we project and predict now will also most likely change once we hit fall camp and begin to see some more things after a summer of conditioning and development behind the scenes. But, as always, we’re game to give it a try.

We’ve already gone through this exercise on the offensive side of the ball, and now it’s time to look at the defense and special teams. Here’s a look at a projected Ohio State football depth chart on defense and special teams post-spring.

Ohio State football projected two-deep depth chart on defense and special teams

Defensive Line

Starters: Kenyatta Jackson (defensive end), Eddrick Houston (defensive tackle), James Smith (defensive tackle), Qua Russaw (defensive end)

Backups: Zion Grady (defensive end), John Walker Jr (defensive tackle), Will Smith (defensive tackle), Beau Atkinson (defensive end)

There isn’t a huge, known difference maker on the defensive line this coming year, but maybe a couple become household names when it’s all said and done. Either way, defensive line coach Larry Johnson would love to rotate eight players, so if this is the two-deep, look for all of these guys to get plenty of time. The coaching staff went out to get experience for a reason, so we’re going with Alabama transfers Smith and Russaw to get the nod over Will Smith Jr. and Atkinson to pair with Jackson and Houston as starters. This competition figures to go deep into the fall before we see who emerges.

Linebacker

Starters: Payton Pierce, Christian Alliegro

Backups: Riley Pettijohn, Cincere Johnson

Pierce will be a starter with no question. He was considered the third starter last year, even though OSU deployed two linebackers a lot of the time. He’s going to make some noise this year, being a full-time starter. The wild card in all of this is Pettijohn because he has the talent to be an explosive player, much like what we saw with Arvell Reese. He’s been injured, though, so we just don’t know. For now, we’ll go with the known commodities of Pierce and Alliegro. We can’t forget about TJ Alford or Garrett Stover here, but Johnson is generating a lot of buzz and might just leapfrog them all for some action as a freshman.

Cornerback

Starters: Jermaine Mathews Jr., Devin Sanchez

Backups: Dominick Kelly, Cam Calhoun

It would be a surprise if returners Mathews and Sanchez don’t grab the starting spots here. From there, the coaching staff brought in two transfers with experience, Kelly and Calhoun, who should be the nod to be a part of the rotation.

Star

Starter: Earl Little Jr.

Backup: Jay Timmons

Both of these guys had everyone in spring camp excited. Little was held out with injury on the back-end of spring, but before that, he was showing that he might be able to do at least some of the things Caleb Downs did to allow the defense to be varied and flexible. Oh, and he is also a big hitter. Timmons, just a freshman, might have done enough to be the first guy to plug in for Little if needed.

Safety

Starters: Jaylen McClain, Terry Moore

Backups: Leroy Roker, Blaine Bradford

You can write McClain’s name in pen here, but beyond that, it gets interesting. Roker and Moore will compete for the other starting spot, but again, if we’re going with the thought of playing the more experienced guy, then we have to go with the Duke transfer. Bradford seems to have done enough to be in the conversation for being in the rotation.

Punter

Starter: Joe McGuire

Backup: Brady Young

McGuire should be the unquestioned starter, and let’s hope we see a little bigger leg from him at times. Young is still there if needed.

Kicker

Starter: Carter Hawkins

Backup: Cooper Peterson

Hawkins was brought in to solidify things at kicker, so he’s going to be the main player without any competition, really. Beyond that, the walk-on Peterson is there, and so too is a walk-on transfer from Notre Dame, Marcello Diomede.

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This article originally appeared on Buckeyes Wire: Ohio State football 2026 post-spring projected depth chart on defense

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