Each Team’s Best Defender On Ohio State’s Schedule
Nov. 21st vs. Indiana
Tiawan Mullen, CB
If you recall Clemson CB Trayvon Mullen, who was a round two draft pick to the Raiders in 2019, then you’ll recognize this name. Tiawan is Trayvon’s younger brother, and he has all the makings to be just as good, if not better.
Last year, Mullen was named to three different Freshman All-American teams, by The Athletic, 247Sports, and Pro Football Focus. Which, if you ask me, is the best at evaluating talent.
Mullen only started the last 7 of 12 games for Indiana and still finished with 12 pass break-ups, which was tops in the Big Ten. Easy to say Mullen had the best season from a freshman defender in the country not named Derek Stingley Jr.
The good news for Ohio State is Mullen can only guard one guy. And aside from him, the Indiana secondary isn’t anything to write home about. The Buckeyes shouldn’t have any problems with the Hoosier defense, but they’ll probably be throwing in the opposite direction of Mullen the entire game.
Nov. 28th @ Illinois
Sydney Brown, SS
Remember last year when Michigan State hilariously lost to Illinois? How could you forget? Well, Sydney Brown was the dude who had the 76-yard pick-six (his second INT of the day) to keep the Illini in the game, not to mention his impressive 13 tackles from the safety spot.
The incoming junior in Brown is the definition of a ballhawk. He’s like a mini Tyrann Mathieu in that he can turn the ball over and he loves to hit, as he was 2nd on the Illini team in tackles last year.
After a breakout season as a sophomore last year, if Brown does more of the same this season he could skyrocket his draft stock into a day two pick.
Dec. 5th @ Michigan State
Antjuan Simmons, LB (former OSU commit)
Antjuan Simmons is yet another name that Buckeye football junkies may recall, as Simmons was once an Ohio State commit before downgrading to the Spartans.
Simmons is thought by many to be a shoo-in for First Team All-Big Ten this year, as the Spartans have their leading tackler returning from a season ago. He’s a ball magnet and is likely on the bottom of every pile on defense.
He’ll definitely be one of the keys for the Ohio State offensive line, as they’ll have to know where Simmons is at all times. Not only can he be a run-stuffer, but he can use his speed to beat you off the edge as well.
Dec. 12th vs. Michigan
Kwity Paye, DE
Don’t ask me how to pronounce this guy’s name because I’d be lying if I said I knew how. What I do know though, is that this guy’s going to be playing on Sundays not far from now.
NFL Draft guru Mel Kiper has Paye in his Top 20 prospects, mocked him going in the first round, and has him at the #5 overall defensive end heading into the season. Pair him with Aidan Hutchinson at the other end spot, and the Wolverines have a formidable duo of pass rushers.
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Paye will have his chance to improve his draft stock even more if he can make the most of just 9 games this year, and I fully see him doing that. Will that help Michigan stop the streak of losing to Ohio State? Probably not.