Ohio State football way-too-early projected 2026 depth chart, defense

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After a fantastic regular-season in which Ohio State was ranked No. 1 ever since the win over Texas in Week 1, the postseason didn’t pan out as anyone in Buckeye Nation wanted, ending with two straight losses to end the year well before the potential of what this team could have accomplished.

So, now, we usher in the offseason, and it’s time to look forward, and that’s exactly what we are doing. The Big Ten released the conference schedules for 2026 earlier this week, and it looks like the Buckeyes will have a challenging schedule that will have it battle-tested if it can navigate games against teams like Iowa, Oregon, USC, and Michigan.

To make it to another College Football Playoff, Ohio State’s roster will need to be one of the best and most talented in the country again. Several Buckeyes are headed to the NFL draft, many of whom could be first-round picks, so there is plenty to replace. But there is also a lot of upper crust returning with guys like Jeremiah Smith, Julian Sayin, Bo Jackson, and Kenyatt Jackson returning, and that experienced talent will need to jell with another top-ten recruiting class.

Ohio State also lost a lot in the transfer portal, and yes, gained some as well, so it’ll be interesting to see what the depth chart looks like when the Scarlet and Gray run out of the tunnel to host Ball State on Sept. 5. Here at Buckeyes Wire, we like to try and figure out the depth chart early and often as we head through the offseason and into the season, and since the transfer portal has closed and we know which Buckeyes are graduating and leaving for the NFL, it’s time to take our first look at what the two-deep might look like before spring ball.

So, we peer into the crystal ball to do our best to determine a way-too-early projected Ohio State football depth chart for 2026 as January comes to an end. We already took a look at the offensive side of the ball, and now we are turning our attention to the defense and special teams.

Defensive End

Starter | Kenyatta Jackson Jr.

Backup | Beau Atkinson

Defensive End

Starter | Qua Russaw

Backup | Zion Grady

Jackson should get the nod at one side, and we’ve heard great things about Grady, but look for the coaching staff to go with the experience of the Alabama transfer, Russaw.

Defensive Tackle (3-technique)

Starter | Eddrick Houston

Backup | John Walker

Defensive Tackle (Nose)

Starter | James Smith

Backup | Will Smith Jr.

It’ll be interesting to see who moves to nose. Our guess is the experience of Alabama transfer James Smith, because it sure feels like Eddrick Houston will be the answer at the 3-technique. Will Smith Jr. and John Walker figure to be in the mix for a rotational spot along with Jason Moore.

Linebacker (Mike)

Starter | Riley Pettijohn

Backup | Garrett Stover

Linebacker (Will)

Starter | Payton Pierce

Backup | Christian Alliegro

Ohio State loses a lot of experience here, but there’s still plenty of talent to be the next men up. Pierce was the third linebacker last season and will man one of the spots, and the upside of Pettijohn could result in an Arvelle Reese-type flash on the scene. Garrett Stover and Wisconsin transfer Christian Alliegro will get plenty of time in three linebacker sets and rotational depth. Also, don’t forget about Cincere Johnson, who is likely the future of the position.

Cornerback

Starter | Jermaine Mathews

Backup | Cam Calhoun

Cornerback

Starter | Devin Sanchez

Backup | Dominick Kelly

It would be a surprise if Sanchez and Mathews aren’t the two starters here, but transfers Kelly and Calhoun add more veteran experience for a group that will probably rotate heavily without much dropoff. It’ll be interesting to see if either pushes for a starting spot.

Nickelback

Starter | Earl Little Jr.

Backup | Leroy Roker III

Safety (Free)

Starter | Jaylen McClain

Backup | DeShawn Stewart

Safety (Strong)

Starter | Terry Moore

Backup | Blaine Bradford

A lot of changes here because of the departure of Caleb Downs and the additions through the portal. We are again going to go with experience since there seems to be a concerted effort to go with more seasoned players. Moore and Little seem to be the guys brought in to start alongside returning starter McClain.

Kicker

Starter | Connor Hawkins

Backup | N/A

Ohio State seems to have found the replacement for the departing Jayden Fielding, and hopes that it adds some consistency and reliability to the position. There’s no other kicker on the roster currently, so look for the coaching staff to work the portal or get a preferred walk-on to add depth.

Punter

Starter | Joe McGuire

Backup | Brady Young

McGuire is back to retain the punting duties, and he’ll be spelled by a late addition to the 2026 class, freshman Brady Young.

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This article originally appeared on Buckeyes Wire: Ohio State football way-too-early projected defensive depth chart

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