Ohio State Football: Which defensive end will be next great game-wrecker?

Ohio State Football: Which defensive end can be next great game-wrecker?

By Ben Swanger | Apr 21, 2020

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 28: Defensive end Chase Young #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes during the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl against the Clemson Tigers at State Farm Stadium on December 28, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. The Tigers defeated the Buckeyes 29-23. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

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Tyreke Smith (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) /

Junior Tyreke Smith:

Tyreke Smith is entering his junior season in Columbus and has appeared in 22 career games. Smith recorded 12 tackles, 5 for loss and 3 sacks in 2019. He had a career game against Maryland in 2019 as he tallied 2 sacks with 3 tackles.

Smith has exceptional size standing 6-4 and nearly weighing 270 pounds. He is a rare blend of size and explosiveness. The knock on Smith seems to be injuries, though. Coming into 2019 he had groin surgery and then missed three games throughout the season to injury setbacks.

Smith is a product of Cleveland Heights and was a consensus four-star player coming out high school.

Smith has all the intangibles to become a great pass rusher. We’ll see if he can tap into a new level this season.

The next DE is another one of Larry Johnson’s project players, a guy like Sam Hubbard who played behind the line in high school who beefed up so he could play on it. It appears coach Johnson’s project is working.

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