Fall Camp has officially kicked off in Columbus. The 2025 Ohio State Buckeyes are on a quest to win back-to-back titles for the first time in program history. With all of the attention on the offense, an underrated question mark on the roster lies on the defensive line. The Buckeyes must replace all four starters from the national championship-winning team. As a result, aside from quarterback, the majority of the questions and concerns about what should be another loaded roster have focused on the defensive line.
In order to run it back as a top defense, the Buckeye defensive line must not miss a beat in 2025.
2025 Buckeye Breakdown: The Defensive Line
Transfer Rushmen
While there are a few names who can carry the load at defensive end, Larry Johnson went out and signed two transfers to add to the depth chart. Both of those transfers bring plenty of production and have great opportunities to vie for playing time in what looks to be a deep but inexperienced room.
The first defensive end transfer was former Idaho State star, Logan George. As a true freshman, George appeared in 10 games and finished with 31 tackles, four-and-a-half tackles for loss, one pass breakup, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery. Last year, he broke out. George started all 12 games for the Bengals and amassed 57 tackles, 19.5 tackles for loss, and six-and-a-half sacks.
Across 648 defensive snaps, George registered an overall PFF grade of 73.0. He comes to Ohio State with two years of eligibility remaining.
With George, the Buckeyes’ defensive line coach added a rising star from North Carolina, Beau Atkinson.
As a true freshman in 2022, Atkinson did not register any playing time as a depth piece on the defensive line. However, he earned plenty of playing time the following year. In 13 games, he tallied 19 tackles, four-and-a-half tackles for loss, three-and-a-half sacks, three quarterback pressures, and forced a fumble. He kicked off the season with the only game with multiple tackles for loss and sacks.
Then, last year, he began his breakout. In 13 games, Atkinson amassed 35 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, and seven-and-a-half sacks. According to Pro Football Focus, he played 381 defensive snaps. In that time, he was awarded an overall grade of 77. Breaking it down further, he earned a 74.3 run defense grade and 76.2 in pass rushing.
Existing EDGE Talent
Filling the shoes of two Buckeye legends will be difficult. However, the potential leader of the group is Kenyatta Jackson Jr., and he’s getting all kinds of hype from his teammates. Caleb Downs, Sonny Styles, and Jeremiah Smith all named Jackson specifically at Big Ten Media Days as someone who has stepped up and is poised for a breakout. The trio remarked that Jackson can be a first-round pick after this year. He will have the opportunity to make that argument despite having just 25 tackles, six tackles for loss, and three sacks in three seasons.
Opposite him, Caden Curry has flashed when given the opportunity. Last year, Curry only played 229 snaps, but he was a bit more productive than his counterpart. He finished 2024 with 22 tackles, four tackles for loss, two-and-a-half sacks, and forced two fumbles. The first of those fumbles resulted in a Lathan Ransom scoop-and-score against Akron. Curry looks like the quintessential Ohio State defensive end that we’ve grown accustomed to. If given the opportunity, Curry has just as much of an opportunity to play himself into a premium draft position.
The wild card of this group is converted linebacker C.J. Hicks. In an era where EDGE rushers can get drafted in the first round based on physical attributes and no production, Hicks could test his way into consideration when the time comes. Between now and then, Hicks has one more season of football. He was a five-star recruit but has yet to play up to those expectations. He has the athleticism to be successful, but will he be able to make a smooth transition?
Defensive Tackle Questions
The player with the most hype surrounding him on the Buckeye defensive line has to be sophomore defensive tackle Eddrick Houston. His recruitment went down to the wire against Alabama, but he ultimately chose the Buckeyes and was rewarded quickly in 2024. Despite two NFL tackles ahead of him, Houston got on the field for 141 snaps. Off the bench, Houston earned the third-most snaps across the four-game CFP run and is poised to be the star of defensive tackles in 2025. He did sustain a minor injury on the first day of Fall Camp, but it is not expected to sideline him for an extended period of time. If the Buckeye defensive line is going to be good, it’ll start with Houston.
While Houston is more of a three-tech, Kayden McDonald looks to take over the nose tackle role. As a sophomore, McDonald was the first off the bench and plugged the interior for 214 snaps. He has to fill some massive shoes, but his six-foot-three, 326-pound frame looks to be enough. He has impressive strength and can shed blockers post-snap with ease. McDonald is set up to be an under-the-radar stud who will impress the keen-eyed scouts much like Tyleik Williams did before he became a first-round pick.
Behind McDonald, a surprising legacy is rising up the ranks. Will Smith Jr., the son of 2003 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and All-American, Will Smith, has been impressing coaches. This Spring, the first name out of Ryan Day’s mouth when asked about the position group was Smith’s, despite supposedly being buried by former higher-ranked recruits. He has reportedly made the biggest jumps of all of the defenders vying for roles.
Bottom Line on the Defensive Line
All in all, the Buckeye defensive line is going to be a question mark until the Texas game. Against the Longhorns’ offense, the all-new defense will have quite the test, and it all starts up front.
It can be expected that, at least at first, there will be a step back in terms of dominance. However, once the unit is humming, this Buckeye defensive line looks to be a solid unit. Ohio State’s depth at defensive end is ridiculous. The concerns at defensive tackle are well-founded, but they will be quelled in time.
Johnson has this most difficult task ahead of him, but the veteran coach will be up for the challenge.
Main Image: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
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