As exciting as the Ohio State offense will be this fall, the Buckeyes defense is even better. This is the most talented unit in the country after seeing a slew of veterans return for one more season. The question is whether they can build on their impressive 2023 season to become dominant in 2024.
Our Ohio State Buckeyes defensive preview looks to answer some key questions about what's to come once games begin and whether this is the defense that will end the program's national title drought.
Is Caleb Downs Already Ohio State's Best Defensive Player?
The Buckeyes finished second in the nation in points allowed last year but should be an even better unit this season. Josh Proctor and Michael Hall Jr.'s departures are notable, but landing Caleb Downs in the transfer portal from Alabama is a game-changer. Downs is the ultimate defensive playmaker already, despite being only a sophomore.
Defensive coordinator should look to replicate much of what Nick Saban did with Downs last year. He racked up over 100 tackles and forced a total of three turnovers. This d efensive backfield will be insanely good with Downs and a host of other high-end cornerbacks.
Will Downs be the team's best defensive back? He doesn't need to be for the Buckeyes to reach its peak. Denzel Burke needs to stay healthy, and playmaking leaps from Davison Igbinosun and Jordan Hancock would be welcomed. But Downs must be impactful and not get lost in a new scheme.
If he does, or if the unit suffers injuries, the Buckeyes will be relying on a host of young guys without much experience. The upside is the Buckeyes have brought in a tremendous amount of talent in the last two secondary classes, but right now that's just talent on paper. Sophomore Jermaine Mathews Jr. is the only corner with any experience to rely on.
Jack Sawyer, JT Tuimoloau Enter Spotlight
The Buckeyes pass rush has been a topic of discussion for a few years. Without a star like Chase Young or a Bosa brother, the unit has flailed a bit. Defensive line coach Larry Johnson has done well to build deep units with playable bodies but not developing someone who can dictate an entire game consistently.
We've seen flashes from JT Tuimoloau, but he's been more of a secondary rusher who excels in the run game. As a power-rusher without a ton of bend and speed, Tuimoloau needs someone to emerge across from him. Jack Sawyer has taken steps to give some reason to believe he'll be more of that guy in 2024.
Sawyer's advanced numbers are impressive enough to think he could be a first-round pick next April. Especially when paired with defensive tackle Tyleik Williams, this is an insanely high-floor group. But is their upside enough to avoid bringing blitzes against Oregon, Michigan, and in the Playoff?
Guys like Kenyatta Jackson Jr. and Caden Curry have some upside worth checking out. True freshman Eddrick Houston won't find a big role this year but will surely make his way onto the field in blowouts. Like the secondary, though, there's almost an uncomfortable amount of pressure on the starters.
That's a phrase we'll probably use more and more as NIL and the transfer portal strips down deeper rosters. Ohio State isn't doing anything incorrectly or in a different boat with its potential depth issues. Every other school now lacks an impressive two-deep roster.
I'm projecting this Buckeyes defense to be the best of any Power 5 unit. It will carry the Ohio State program to an undefeated record and a national championship. It'd be an abject disaster for Knowles to miss with this amount of talent, and it'd be shocking for one of the finest coordinators in the nation to not convert with this opportunity.
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