The Ohio State football team has been trying to address some needs along the defensive line by grabbing players from the transfer portal. While they haven't officially grabbed anyone yet, former North Carolina defensive end Beau Atkinson is expected to sign with the Buckeyes.
If he does sign, that would mean a change in the starting lineup up front on the defensive line. Assuming he signs with Ohio State, there will be a new depth chart. Atkinson would be one of the starting defensive ends in this scenario, but who else would join him?
Projecting the Ohio State defensive line starters with Beau Atkinson
The other defensive end spot comes down to Caden Curry and Kenyatta Jackson. Those are the two players with the most experience. Curry is likely to get the nod because of how well he played in big spots last year, specifically against Indiana and Oregon.
Jackson will still get a lot of snaps backing up both Curry and Atkinson, but he likely won't be the starter. He will likely see the second-most snaps at DE besides those two players. Joshua Mickens might see some rotational time there, as well.
As of right now, the Buckeyes haven't been able to get any defensive tackles from the transfer portal. That means that it will likely still be Kayden McDonald and Eddrick Houston up the middle. Neither one of them have started a whole season before, although Houston got some starts late in the year.
Adding Atkinson would certainly make the defensive line a lot more dangerous as the Buckeyes try to defend their national championship next year. He gives them a proven pass rusher on the edge. Ohio State would love to add some more depth up front from the transfer portal, but losing out on Maraad Watson hurts their chances of doing so.
Larry Johnson needs to coach these boys up well. Otherwise, the Buckeyes might be in some trouble as the season goes along.