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INDIANAPOLIS – It is a testament to Ohio State that eight defensive starters from the 2024 team were invited to this week’s NFL combine.
It is also a reminder of how much the Buckeyes lose from their national championship defense, particularly on the defensive line. Ends Jack Sawyer and J.T. Tuimoloau and tackles Ty Hamilton and Tyleik Williams were the foundation of OSU’s defense, and all will be coveted players in the draft.
But those linemen have mentored the next wave of Buckeyes at their positions, and they don’t fear a major dropoff in 2025.
The front-runners to start next year for position coach Larry Johnson are probably ends Caden Curry and Kenyatta Jackson and tackles Kayden McDonald and Eddrick Houston.
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“Those four guys are NFL players,” Sawyer said. “I’m excited to see what they’re going to do in their first year all as a group together playing. The sky’s the limit for those guys. I know coach Johnson is going to get those guys right, and I look forward to them all having a great season.”
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Curry and Jackson saw extensive action last year and made impactful plays. McDonald has already proven to be a force as a run-stopper, and Houston was a five-star recruit a year ago.
“Eddrick can be as good as anybody else in the country if he wants to be with his size and his speed and his athletic ability and how strong he is,” Sawyer said. “I think you’ll see him take a big leap going into his sophomore year and be a really productive player.”
Tuimoloau included Jason Moore as a player to watch.
“Even though we’re young, we have a lot of great talent,” Tuimoloau said.
Hamilton said he doesn’t expect any dropoff on the…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/article/whos-not-worried-ohio-state-234446484.html
Author : The Columbus Dispatch
Publish date : 2025-02-26 23:44:00
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