Ohio State football: How good can this defensive line be in 2021?

The defensive line is one unit that the Ohio State football team has a ton of depth on in 2021. How good can it be?

The Ohio State football team has always had plenty of depth along the defensive line. It’s one of the best units in the country and has been for the last few years. Chase Young, Nick Bosa, Joey Bosa, Jashon Cornell, and Dre’Mont Jones are just a few of the players who have played up front recently.

In 2020, this unit was once again elite. It was the strongest unit on the defense, and perhaps the second-best unit on the entire team, behind the wide receivers. Haskell Garrett, Tommy Togiai, and Tyreke Smith did a really good job all season long.

Most of these players, if not all, will be back next season. Togiai and Garrett have indicated that they will be back next season. It should be a year where the defensive tackles continue to be elite. That should help Zach Harrison have a breakout season.

Harrison was somewhat disappointing in 2020, only recording 3.5 sacks. He probably would have gotten more had more games been played. He did have a lot of pressures. The way played would indicate that his junior season should be even better and actually have the sack totals that are expected.

Jack Sawyer also joins the team as the number four overall recruit in the country at defensive end. He will definitely see some playing time. J.T. Tuimoloau, the number three overall recruit in the country and also a defensive end, would see some time too.

All of these weapons should add up to a massive year for the defensive line in 2021. Expect more sacks, forced fumbles, and run stops next season. This team is built to wreck people up front and that is exactly what they will do with all of that talent next season.

This is the unit I’m most excited for next season. I can’t wait to watch them play.