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.
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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
Jan 20, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes defensive end Kenyatta Jackson Jr. (97) against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the CFP National Championship college football game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Starter | Kenyatta Jackson Jr.
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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)
Ohio State Buckeyes defensive end Eddrick Houston (96) works out during spring football practice at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center on March 17, 2025.
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.
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Linebacker (Mike)
Nov 1, 2025; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Payton Pierce (26) celebrates his tackle with linebacker Garrett Stover (23) during the second quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images
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.
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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.
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)
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.
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.
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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
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
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