Buckeyes’ Defensive Tackle Depth an Issue

The depth of Ohio State’s defensive line could be an issue as it gets ready for the Fiesta Bowl.

Adolphus Washington’s suspension for the upcoming Fiesta Bowl was a major hit to a unit that was already lacking quality depth. Then came another blow as Tommy Schutt suffered a foot injury, and his status for the game is now in jeopardy. For all of the success Urban Meyer and his coaching staff have had on the recruiting trail, somehow the interior of the defensive line hasn’t benefitted from it. How the lack of depth is felt when the Buckeyes square off with the Irish remains to be seen. What that lack of depth means for the 2016 campaign is an even more pressing matter.

It is a safe bet that Joey Bosa is going to see plenty of time in the interior of defensive schemes come New Year’s Day. He has seen playing time, and success, at the 3-technique before. His combination of power and speed is a lot to ask of a guard to handle. The play of Tyquan Lewis and Sam Hubbard makes that move easier as both have proven capable of bringing pressure off of the edge. The two have combined for 12.5 sacks this year. Hubbard’s contributions came in a complementary role to Bosa and Lewis. He was pressed into the starting role for the opener, while Bosa was suspended, and played well. Once Bosa was reinstated, Hubbard moved back to being a rotational supplement. It is likely that he will be starting against the Irish with Bosa moving inside.

Michael Hill will man the 1-technique, in charge of eating up space and forcing double teams. His play is going to be critical for the success of the unit. Forced double teams on Hill will leave Bosa in man-to-man battles, which you can expect he’ll win more than he loses. While not having Washington on the field is certainly not ideal, having Bosa lined up on a guard could potentially cause chaos among a strong Notre Dame offensive line.

Who else joins the rotation for Larry Johnson Sr. is up in the air. Joel Hale seems to be the logical first choice. He is a fifth year senior, and started the Rutgers game in place of an injured Schutt. Past that, there is very little experience left to turn to. Sophomores Tracy Sprinkle and Donovan Munger have played very sparingly this year, and barring a remarkable bowl preparation, it would be hard for the coaching staff to have much confidence in the two to be able to have an impact.

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A guy to watch could be Robert Landers, a true freshman. When Tommy Schutt went down with a broken wrist in October, Landers found himself on the fringe of playing time. Ultimately the Buckeyes were able to get by without having to burn his redshirt. With the predicament that the unit finds themselves in now, Landers could be pressed into one heck of a platform for an opening statement.

While the lack of depth is alarming as it pertains to trying to win the Fiesta Bowl, it is even more concerning when projecting what the unit may look like in 2016. Ohio State will be losing defensive tackles Schutt, Hale and Washington due to graduation. Joey Bosa’s draft stock is well documented, projecting as high as the first overall pick of the 2016 draft. In the interior, that will leave Michael Hill as the only returning player with any significant experience.

Urban Meyer signed a trio of defensive lineman in the 2015 class, including Landers, who will be an early favorite for playing time when spring camp rolls around. Also in that class was highly recruited Jashon Cornell, who came to Columbus as a defensive end but has a frame that could hold up inside.

For a staff that has recruited as well as any other in the country, elite defensive tackles have proven to be elusive. Thomas Holley and Malik McDowell were big misses for Meyer in 2014. Last year it was Neville Gallimore who spurned the Buckeyes, signing with Oklahoma. With signing day for the 2016 class quickly approaching, the Buckeye staff is still looking for another defensive tackle to jump on board. They were all in on Antwuan Jackson, and had to have felt great about their chances, until he committed to Auburn last week. With a good one in Malik Barrow already on board, the search continues for another tackle to come in and create some depth to a position that needs it badly.

Despite the lack of success the staff has had in closing on elite tackles, there is no lack of talent being brought in on the outside. Ohio State continues to hit on defensive end prospects. With Nick Bosa and Jonathon Cooper set to sign with the Buckeyes in February, Meyer and Larry Johnson Sr. will have a wealth of talent at their disposal to generate pressure off of the edge. If the interior can be solidified, the unit will again be dominant for years to come. That’s a pretty unsettling “if”.

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The mass exodus that is expected to transpire following the Fiesta Bowl is going to put the depth of the entire program to the test. The amount of talent that could be leaving Columbus is unprecedented. Not just in terms of the numbers of players leaving, but because of the careers that they had and the impacts they had on the program. Every Buckeye fan should have all of the faith in the world that Urban Meyer and his staff have prepared the program for the change that is coming. He is no stranger to churning out NFL talent, and he certainly won’t be caught off guard. As a brand, Ohio State will always be able to survive these types of transitions. But for a coach who never understates the importance of an elite defensive line, he has to be worried about the current state of the interior defensive line. In the now, and most especially with an eye on 2016.