Ohio State Football: A brief look at the defense

Having already taken a brief look at Ohio State’s offense, we now take a look at their defense for 2020.

While Head Coach Ryan Day has not officially released a depth chart, we do have a good idea of who will start on both sides of the ball. But there are also some question marks, especially on the defensive side.

The defense was phenomenal last year, allowing just 13.7 points-per-game, good for fourth-best in the country. Defensive Coordinator Kerry Coombs will have to replace two of the best defensive players in program history, DE Chase Young and CB Jeff Okudah, both of which were top-three NFL Draft picks.

Some key players do return, such as DE Johnathon Cooper, and all three senior LB’s, Baron Browning, Tuf Borland, and Pete Werner. The biggest name among the defensive unit is undoubtedly CB Shaun Wade.

Wade previously had opted out of 2020, then opted back in shortly after the season was reinstated. Wade brings NFL-ready talent back to Columbus and looks to be a shutdown corner and show the world while he was named a first-team All-American.

Joining Wade at the cornerback position will be junior Sevyn Banks. Banks saw action in every game last season but looks to have a more extended role with the absence of Jeff Okudah and Damon Arnette. Wade will be moving to the outside corner position, while Banks will be the primary inside corner.

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Senior Marcus Williamson may also make a push at a starting spot, although he appeared in all 14 games in 2019, he really did not get the opportunity to accumulate consistent playing time.

Kerry Coombs went as far as saying Williamson had an “extraordinary offseason”. Other talents will add depth at this position, such as sophomore Tyreke Johnson, and junior Cameron Brown, both of whom were highly recruited out of high school.

As for the safeties, OSU must replace another NFL draft pick in Jordan Fuller. Junior Josh Proctor was Fuller’s back-up last season and looks to start in 2020. Proctor was a four-star recruit coming out of high school and has played in at least nine games in the past two seasons.

Challenging Proctor for a starting job could be redshirt sophomore Marcus Hooker. Hooker saw action in nine games in 2019 but may have the edge if Ohio State decides to go with a single safety defense.

Ryan Day has described Hooker as a guy with more range than the average safety, while Proctor is more of a coverage specialist. The safety battle may be the closest position competition, and we may not know who the starter is until kickoff on October 24th.

The defensive line must replace Chase Young, but will be led by fifth-year senior DE Johnathon Cooper. Cooper redshirted last season as he battled injury, but started 13 games in 2018 and was an honorable mention on the all-Big Ten team.

Joining Cooper as a defensive end will likely be junior Tyreke Smith, who started only four games last season, but played in 11 total. Junior Tyler Friday, and sophomore Zach Harrison will add depth to this position. Harrison may fight for a starting spot, and will see a healthy amount of playing time regardless.

Harrison was the number one defensive end coming out of high school, and a former number one recruit in the state of Ohio. Ohio State has been an NFL factory at the defensive end position, it will be interesting to see what 2020 may bring.

Haskell Garrett was likely to be the starting defensive tackle this season but is still recovering from a facial gunshot wound. He is said to be recovering well, but the timeline for his return is still unknown.

Perhaps we could see one of the previously mentioned defensive ends move over to the tackle position, or Antwuan Jackson or redshirt sophomore Taron Vincent could become the starter. Junior Tommy Togiai does look to have the other defensive tackle position secured, as he returns off of an impressive 2019 campaign where he played in all 14 games.

The linebacker room has impressive depth and is led by the previously mentioned three seniors- Tuf Borland, Baron Browning, and Pete Werner. Werner was “shocked” after finding out he would no longer be the strong outside LB like he was last year, but is now making the move to weak-side linebacker.

Taking his place at strong outside LB will be Baron Browning, but LB coach Al Washington has mentioned he could be used as the inside LB as well, as he is a very versatile player. Tuf Borland looks to keep his spot at the middle LB position.

It is worth mentioning, Al Washington also told reporters that juniors Teradja Mitchell and Dallas Gant are both playing “unbelievably well”. We could see quite a few different personnel options this season.

Ohio State’s 2019 defense was unforgettable, but the 2020 unit looks to fill some big shoes and help Ohio State win their fourth straight Big Ten Title, with eyes on the National Championship.