Ohio State Football: Breaking down the depth chart, tight ends

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Backups: Jake Hausmann, Mitch Rossi, Derrick Malone, Brock Davin, Corey Rau

Jake Hausmann is the only player here who could see real playing time next season. Corey Rau is a grad-transfer from SMU. He might be able to get some snaps as the fourth tight end. Mitch Rossi, Derrick Malone and Brock Davin didn’t see much time at all as upperclassman though, and I don’t expect that to change next season. It would not be a shock to see one of them end up in the transfer portal this spring.

Hausmann saw a decent amount of action last season receiving 235 total snaps and recording two catches for 13 yards and a score. The junior from Cincinnati should see some more reps next season as fellow backup tight end, Rashod Berry moves onto the NFL and his 240 snaps from last season need to be accounted for.

Waiting in the wings: Cormontae Hamilton

Cormontae Hamilton did not play last season as a true freshman but he is a player that tight ends coach Kevin Wilson thinks could develop. The former three-star prospect from Memphis, Tennessee had a great story on how he became a Buckeye.

This is from Jeremy Birmingham of Lettermen Row:

"“Hamilton took a Greyhound Bus on an 18-hour, round-trip visit from Memphis to Columbus in late June (2018) to show up and perform at Ohio State’s Friday Night Lights camp. That’s how he proved to the Buckeyes and their coaching staff, namely tight ends coach Kevin Wilson, that he would go to any length necessary to earn what he wanted.”"

With a reputation like that and some hard work to go along the way, Hamilton may just be able to carve out a role as the fourth tight end next season if he can supplant transfer Corey Rau.

Down the pipeline: Sam Hart

Hart is a three-star recruit from Aurora, Colorado and committed to play for the Buckeyes on Dec. 30 as part of the 2021 class. Hart is ranked as the No. 365 best player in the recruiting cycle according to 247Sports and was offered scholarships from Notre Dame, Texas, Penn State, LSU and Virginia Tech among many others.

There you have it. There is our analysis of the tight end position for the Buckeyes. We will see how these guys develop and how the position develops in the OSU offense later in 2020.