The Ohio State Buckeyes lost significant defensive line production this offseason with Caden Curry and Kayden McDonald no longer on the roster. Replacing that kind of talent is never simple, but defensive line coach Larry Johnson has a long track record of developing pass rushers in Columbus and well before he arrived. 

Ohio State should field a strong defensive line again in 2026, and one name flying under the radar could end up earning a depth role as a pass rusher this season as a freshman. 

Khary Wilder brings strong pedigree to the Buckeyes’ defensive line

Johnson targeted EDGE Khary Wilder as a pass rusher in the class of 2026. The high 4-star defensive lineman out of California was ranked No. 52 in the nation according to the 247Sports composite rankings. That type of recruiting profile suggests Ohio State sees multi-year starter potential, even if the path to playing time as a true freshman won’t be easy.

This week, fellow defensive lineman and former North Carolina transfer Bo Atkinson had good things to say about Wilder’s early development.

“I think Khary is a stud,” Beau Atkinson said after practice on Wednesday, via Lettermen Row. “He plays very violent and aggressive. So I think as he continues to grow, he’ll be a stud.”

That kind of endorsement from a veteran teammate carries weight, especially during fall camp when the position battles are at their most intense.

Where Khary Wilder fits in Ohio State’s pass-rushing rotation

The path to playing time won’t be handed to Wilder. Beyond Jackson and Atkinson, the Buckeyes will lean on Alabama transfer Qua Russaw, as well as sophomores Zion Grady and Epi Sitanilei, to round out their pass-rushing group. Wilder slots in behind that collection of talent for now.

Still, there’s a good chance he carves out a role early in Columbus, as early as his freshman season. At 6-foot-4, 257 pounds, Wilder has already adapted well to the college football weight room at Ohio State. He came in and put on the kind of functional size that Larry Johnson’s coaching staff looks for in young defensive linemen. That physical readiness puts him ahead of where many true freshmen find themselves in August.

There’s been a lot of chatter about cornerback Jay Timmons as a defensive freshman turning heads in Columbus this fall. Wilder is another name to know on the Ohio State defense. He may not be a full-time contributor right away, but his trajectory points toward a player who is going to play a major role for this team down the road.

Don’t be surprised if Wilder has a role as early as this season in a depth spot. With the amount of defensive line talent Ohio State lost to the 2026 NFL Draft, there will be snaps available for young players who prove they belong. Wilder’s combination of recruiting pedigree, physical tools, and early praise from veterans suggests he could be next in Larry Johnson’s long line of developed pass rushers.