Ohio State Buckeyes defensive coordinator Matt Patricia and defensive line coach Larry Johnson have found a critical answer along the edge with Alabama Crimson Tide transfer EDGE Qua Russaw this spring.
Russaw, who just shed his black stripe this past week, is giving the Buckeyes a true answer to Kenyatta Jackson Jr. on the opposite edge, and is allowing the defense not to give too many snaps to fifth-year Beau Atkinson, who's entering his second campaign in Columbus, and second-year Zion Grady, who are still not starter material.
"Ohio State’s defensive line has talent, but it is still searching for clarity on the edge. Kenyatta Jackson Jr. provides a steady presence, while players like Beau Atkinson and Zion Grady offer upside but are still developing into full-time impact players," Land-Grant Holy Land's Cole Van Wiechen wrote.
"What the unit needs is a second edge rusher who can consistently win one-on-one matchups. That is where Russaw fits in. If he develops into that player, it changes the entire defense. A true edge threat allows Ohio State to generate pressure without relying heavily on blitzing, collapse the pocket in obvious passing situations, and force quarterbacks into quicker decisions. That ripple effect extends across every level of the defense, making coverage easier and allowing linebackers to play faster and more freely. Elite edge play does not just help a defense. It defines it."
Ohio State had a sack problem in 2025 that needs to be fixed in 2026
OSU was No. 75 in sacks during the 2025 season. That the Buckeyes were still among the top teams in many other defensive categories proved that Patricia was successful in overcoming the losses of Jack Sawyer and J.T. Tuimoloau to the 2025 NFL draft.
In no world can the edge be a relative weakness again in 2026. With a tougher schedule to handle, there needs to be more negative plays and help turn a No. 49 team in fumbles gained into one of the top defenses in turnovers.
Russaw is clearly trusted to do that, but it'd be nice to see development from Atkinson and Grady, specifically the former, who is an upperclassman who needs to show something here in his final year of eligibility.
Regardless of where it comes from, there needs to be a fix to Ohio State's sack problem as soon as possible.
Early returns say it could very well come from Russaw, though, luckily.