Big Ten rewards unexpected Ohio State breakout star with Player of the Week crown
While Arvell Reese is quickly rising up 2026 NFL Draft boards, Caden Curry has become the other huge winner from the early part of the Ohio State 2025 season. Ohio State’s defensive resurgence took center stage Monday as edge rusher Caden Curry was named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week. Curry delivered a […]
While Arvell Reese is quickly rising up 2026 NFL Draft boards, Caden Curry has become the other huge winner from the early part of the Ohio State 2025 season.
Ohio State’s defensive resurgence took center stage Monday as edge rusher Caden Curry was named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week. Curry delivered a monster outing in the Buckeyes’ statement win over Washington, racking up 11 tackles, a school-record five tackles for loss, and three sacks — all team highs.
He becomes the second Buckeye to earn conference honors this season, joining quarterback Julian Sayin, who was recognized as Big Ten Freshman of the Week following his breakout in Week 2.
Caden Curry earns Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week
Curry wasn’t alone in wreaking havoc. Defensive tackle Kayden McDonald added seven tackles, three TFLs, and two sacks, forming a disruptive duo that’s quickly silencing preseason concerns about Ohio State’s defensive front.
“Both of those guys played great,” Ryan Day said on Saturday.
“Our defensive line, we’re always motivated. Our whole defense is motivated. We feel like we always have a chip on our shoulder because we lost so many players last year,” Curry said. “We have so much to gain now. We have so many players who just have an edge. We have such a good defense that just needs to play and just keeps playing.”
With four NFL draft picks gone — including first-rounder Tyleik Williams and second-rounder JT Tuimoloau — the Buckeyes entered 2025 with question marks across the D-line. But Curry and McDonald have stepped up, carving out their own legacy in Larry Johnson’s unit.
Through four games, Curry and linebacker Arvell Reese lead the team with 25 tackles apiece. Curry also tops the Buckeyes in tackles for loss (8) and sacks (5), while McDonald ranks second in both categories. Reese sits third with two TFLs and two sacks.
