Ryan Day shows concern over position facing major turnover, 'there needs to be more growth'
The Ohio State Buckeyes can bask in the glory of their 2024-25 National Championship run forever, but head coach Ryan Day and this year's roster can't rest on the achievement. With a mass exodus of a senior-laden roster taking place for the 2025 NFL Draft, a huge swath of young players are competing. Among the […]
The Ohio State Buckeyes can bask in the glory of their 2024-25 National Championship run forever, but head coach Ryan Day and this year's roster can't rest on the achievement. With a mass exodus of a senior-laden roster taking place for the 2025 NFL Draft, a huge swath of young players are competing.
Among the top names out the door are Jack Sawyer, Ty Hamilton, JT Tuimoloau, and Tyleik Williams. They each logged well over 500 snaps, and the Buckeyes' rotation wasn't deep. Kenyatta Jackson was the only defensive lineman besides that senior core to be on the field for more than 231 snaps.
The tackle group is especially concerning after losing Hero Kanu to Texas this offseason. He was penciled in as a starter.
Day knows that defensive line coach Larry Johnson has his work cut out for him with a young group of talented bodies yet to see the field for extended periods of time.
"There's been flashes," he said, "but in order for us to play defense like we did last year, we're gonna need those guys to step up more than they have. I think, again, there's ability there, but consistently playing at a certain level is something that's a challenge that I know Coach (Larry) Johnson is gonna be pushing these guys for over and over again.
"We need these guys to step up in a big way. I think guys have gotten better, for sure. You're seeing it. But in order to be where we need to be next year, there needs to be more and more growth as we move forward."
Sophomore phenom Eddrick Houston will lead the way for an inexperienced unit. Kayden McDonald, Tywone Malone Jr., Will Smith Jr., Jason Moore, and Eric Mensah are fighting for snaps.
Houston was the most productive player of the bunch despite McDonald seeing the field more often throughout the course of the year. Those two should be the favorites to be on the field for the first snap of the season.
However, it's clear Johnson has to build them up and find a workable rotation. We'll see if the legendary coach has another Ace up his sleeve for 2025.
