Who's not worried about Ohio State football's defense in 2025? OSU's departing stars

Who’s not worried about Ohio State football’s defense in 2025? OSU’s departing stars

Posted by author February 26, 2025 Football

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INDIANAPOLIS – It is a testament to Ohio State that eight defensive starters from the 2024 team were invited to this week’s NFL combine.

It is also a reminder of how much the Buckeyes lose from their national championship defense, particularly on the defensive line. Ends Jack Sawyer and J.T. Tuimoloau and tackles Ty Hamilton and Tyleik Williams were the foundation of OSU’s defense, and all will be coveted players in the draft.

But those linemen have mentored the next wave of Buckeyes at their positions, and they don’t fear a major dropoff in 2025.

The front-runners to start next year for position coach Larry Johnson are probably ends Caden Curry and Kenyatta Jackson and tackles Kayden McDonald and Eddrick Houston.

“Those four guys are NFL players,” Sawyer said. “I’m excited to see what they’re going to do in their first year all as a group together playing. The sky’s the limit for those guys. I know coach Johnson is going to get those guys right, and I look forward to them all having a great season.”

Curry and Jackson saw extensive action last year and made impactful plays. McDonald has already proven to be a force as a run-stopper, and Houston was a five-star recruit a year ago.

“Eddrick can be as good as anybody else in the country if he wants to be with his size and his speed and his athletic ability and how strong he is,” Sawyer said. “I think you’ll see him take a big leap going into his sophomore year and be a really productive player.”

Tuimoloau included Jason Moore as a player to watch.

“Even though we’re young, we have a lot of great talent,” Tuimoloau said.

Hamilton said he doesn’t expect any dropoff on the line.

“They’ll be just as good,” he said. “I know they’re young right now, but by the time the season starts, you’re going to see a great group of guys that are going to go out there and play for each other. It’s going to shock the world.”

Linebacker Cody Simon felt just as confident about his position group. Sonny Styles returns for his senior year to lead the unit. Simon, who wore the prized Block O jersey last year, said he believes Styles is a leading candidate for that honor in 2025.

Styles made the transition from safety to linebacker last year. He had some struggles, particularly early, but developed into a force.

“Sonny’s one of the hardest-working kids I’ve ever been around,” said Sawyer of his fellow Pickerington native. “Me and his older brother (Lorenzo) were good friends growing up, so I’ve gotten a chance to know Sonny since he was just a little guy.

“Seeing him now, the freak of an athlete he is and the type of man he is, I’m just happy for him. I think going into Year 2 as a linebacker, he’s going to take a huge leap. He’s a super-smart kid, a super-competitive kid and a tough kid. He’s got the traits of a top-10 pick.”

Simon said Arvell Reese, who was a part-time starter last year, will become a star in 2025 and is also high on Payton Pierce.

“He’s a physical specimen,” he said of Reese. “You will see that next year. He can close in space like nobody I’ve ever seen before.”

Ohio State’s secondary returns All-American safety Caleb Downs and cornerback Davison Igbinosun.

Simon acknowledged the challenge of replacing eight starters but expects the growing pains to be relatively minor.

“I think our guys will be fine,” he said. “They’ve all been preparing, and I think we train harder than anyone in the country, so those guys will step into those new roles and we’ll reload.”