Ohio State football projected depth chart on defense, final call

Ohio State football projected depth chart on defense, final call

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Ohio State football projected depth chart on defense, final call

It's time for one last projection of the Ohio State football depth chart just a few days away from the start of the 2026 season. The Buckeyes will be kicking things off by hosting Ball State on Saturday, and we know as much as we are going to before the players run out onto the field around 12:30 p.m. ET.

OSU is a huge favorite, but there are plenty of things to keep an eye on as it tunes up for a big clash with Texas next week. We already went through the exercise of projecting the offensive side of the ball, and now it's time to do the same for the defense and special teams.

It's almost here, Ohio State fans. Get the food and drinks ready, call up the friends, and let's enjoy the best time of the year in Columbus.

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

Defensive Line

Ohio State Buckeyes defensive end Kenyatta Jackson Jr. (97) celebrates a timeout taken by Minnesota Golden Gophers on the first offensive play of the game during the first half of the NCAA football game at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Oct. 4, 2025.

Starters: Kenyatta Jackson (defensive end), Eddrick Houston (defensive tackle), James Smith (defensive tackle), Beau Atkinson (defensive end)

Backups: Zion Grady (defensive end), John Walker Jr. (defensive tackle), Will Smith (defensive tackle), Qua Russaw (defensive end)

We originally had the Alabama transfer Russaw getting the edge spot opposite Jackson, but Atkinson got the most first-team reps in fall camp and seems to have grabbed that spot. However, all of these guys are going to be rotated in to keep the line fresh. There may not be the game-wreckers we've seen in the past, but the depth and experience might be the best we've seen in years. Smith is beefy and experienced, so we're going with him over Walker to start for now. That could easily flip when we see the line run out there for the first time

Linebacker

Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Payton Pierce (26) motions during the NCAA football game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Oct. 4, 2025.

Starters: Payton Pierce, Christian Alliegro

Backups: Riley Pettijohn, Cincere Johnson

This seems to be pretty set. Pierce and Alliegro are the tandem that has looked the most game-ready through spring and fall. TJ Alford will factor in here too and might be the answer ahead of Johnson, but there's no doubt the linebacker room is in great shape beyond this year with Pettijohn and Johnson. This is a deep group as well, and all will play.

Cornerback

Ohio State Buckeyes cornerback Jermaine Mathews Jr. (7) celebrates an interception during the NCAA football game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind. on Nov. 8, 2025.

Starters: Jermaine Mathews Jr., Devin Sanchez

Backups: Dominick Kelly, Cam Calhoun

There is little doubt that Mathews and Sanchez will get the starts at corner, and it's an extremely athletic pair. Behind them, there's experience and little drop-off in talent with transfers Kelly and Calhoun to keep the group fresh.

Nickel

Ohio State Buckeyes cornerback Dominick Kelly (24) and cornerback Jay Timmons (25) take the field during the first practice of training camp at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center in Columbus on Aug. 6, 2026.

Starter: Jay Timmons

Backup:Simeon Caldwell

The freshman Timmons has looked like a real difference maker in a short period of time and might just be one of those freshmen who get on the field an awful lot early on. Florida State transfer Earl Little was thought to be the answer here, but with Timmons' rise, he'll likely move to a more traditional safety spot, and that's not a bad thing. Caldwell is one of the freshmen that lost his black stripe has shown enough to get some play here as well when needed.

Safety

Ohio State Buckeyes safety Jaylen McClain (18) tries to tackle Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) in the fourth quarter of their game at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio on Aug 30, 2025.

Starters: Jaylen McClain, Earl Little Jr.

Backups: Leroy Roker, Terry Moore

McClain and Moore combine for two of the best safety tandems in the Big Ten. They'll be able to erase things on the back end and come up to provide physical run support when that's needed as well. Roker and Moore have been singled out for their performance and practice habits behind them and look to be the next two up in the rotation.

Punter

April 13, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes punter Joe McGuire (42) competes with the scarlet team during the first half of the LifeSports spring football game at Ohio Stadium on Saturday.

Starter: Joe McGuire

Backup:Brady Young

No change here. McGuire should be the unquestioned starter, and let's hope we see a little bigger leg from him at times. Young will be ready if called upon.

Kicker

Kicker Connor Hawkins (96) kicks a point after during the Ohio State football spring game at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on April 18, 2026.

Starter: Connor Hawkins

Backup:Cooper Peterson

Big things are still expected from Hawkins after being brought in through the transfer portal. Peterson might provide a bigger leg for kickoffs but is unlikely to try and swing for the uprights.

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This article originally appeared on Buckeyes Wire: Ohio State football projected depth chart on defense, final call

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