The Ohio State Buckeyes' defensive front was said to be ready to handle the multiple first-round NFL draft talents who left the program. Christian Alliegro has emerged as an Arvell Reese-type disruptor, while Payton Pierce is being trusted to step into the Sonny Styles role in the middle. Alliegro isn't as athletic as Reese. No one is, but he's getting to the backfield. Meanwhile, Pierce is another strong green-dot MIKE LB in coverage in the vein of Styles.
Defensive coordinator Matt Patricia was a linebacker whisperer with the New England Patriots, so it's not surprising to see the Buckeyes excel at that position again. James Laurinaitis' strong track record as LB coach is also clearly contributing to the LB room.
Elsewhere, Larry Johnson is one of the best position coaches in the country as a former Broyles Award winner. Developing Kenyatta Jackson Jr., Eddrick Houston, James Smith, and Qua Russaw felt like a given, considering two of those players were Nick Saban recruits from the Alabama Crimson Tide, and the other two have been advancing in Columbus for several years now.
CBS Sports' Brad Crawford shared promising intel he received on the defensive progress. Within his reporting, though, he revealed that part of what's making the defense look so good is the lack of a healthy offensive line.
Austin Siereveld and Phillip Daneils' absences are contributing to Ohio State's defensive dominance this spring
"Buckeyes skipped over offensive line additions despite a top-five portal class, and positive spring reviews were limited. Can Ohio State dominate in the trenches against a challenging Big Ten slate that also includes a Week 2 showdown with SEC frontrunner Texas? That's the primary question at the line of scrimmage for a team not short on playmakers elsewhere. Bullied at the point of attack by Indiana and Miami during last season's conference title game and playoff losses, the Buckeyes must improve there," Crawford wrote.
"From left to right, Ohio State is expected to start Ian Moore, Luke Montgomery, Carson Hinzman, Austin Siereveld, and Phillip Daniels along the offensive line, a unit ravaged by injuries this spring. One source close to the program told CBS Sports that the coaching staff was encouraged by the Buckeyes' first-team defensive front seven after numerous NFL Draft departures, but much of that optimism stemmed from Ohio State rarely having its starting five offensive linemen available."
The main issue is that Austin Sierveld and Phillip Daniels, on the right side, were missing in action. Both had secret surgeries early in the spring, putting the line behind the 8-ball and, in particular, forcing Ian Moore to step up. Luckily, Moore has, and he'll be at the most important spot on the line, replacing Siereveld, who moves back to the interior, likely for good, health permitting the rest of the line.
It's been a nice bounce-back effort from the group, but the Buckeyes don't enter the 2026 season with the most possible confidence to protect Julian Sayin and the running back room. Arthur Smith will have to get creative to account for that this fall if the health issues don't subside in short order.
Add us as a preferred source on Google