Ohio State football projected 2022 defensive depth chart, pre-spring
Spring — as they say — has sprung in central Ohio, at least as far as the football program goes. Ohio State breaks the seal on its spring practice and there are a slew of storylines we’re interested to see develop. You can’t win a national championship in the spring, but you sure can get behind and make it tough to be in top form come the beginning of the season.
Here at Buckeyes Wire, we like to routinely check in on what we think the depth chart might look like for the football team, and the beginning of spring sure feels like a great time to do it. We last checked in our projection after the end of the Rose Bowl, and now that the roster is more solidified, we have a little more information to go on.
This thing will likely change more times than a politician’s stance on key issues, so hang with us as it all develops, especially at positions that are going through major overhauls and personnel changes.
Here’s a look at what we project and predict the defensive depth chart could look like as we sit here on the doorstep of spring ball for Ohio State. This comes on the heels of our projection on the offensive side of the ball.
Defensive End
Ohio State Buckeyes defensive end Zach Harrison (9) greets fans who rushed the field following a 33-24 win over the Penn State Nittany Lions Saturday’s NCAA Division I football game at Ohio Stadium in Columbus. Credit: USA TODAY Sports Network
Starter
Zach Harrison
Class in 2022: Senior
Measurables: 6-feet, 6-inches, 268-pounds
Hometown: Lewis Center, OH
Backup
Jack Sawyer
Class in 2022: Sophomore
Measurables: 6-feet, 4-inches, 240-pounds
Hometown: Pickerington, OH
Where things stand
With Harrison making a decision to return for another year, he’s a lock on one side of the ball. Jack Sawyer should get more snaps this year and is the most likely successor when Harrison departs.
Defensive End
Ohio State Buckeyes defensive lineman J.T. Tuimoloau (44) sacks Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Sean Clifford (14) during the second quarter of their game at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio on October 30, 2021. Credit: USA TODAY Sports Network
Starter
Tuimoloau
Class in 2022: Sophomore
Measurables: 6-feet, 6-inches, 275-pounds
Hometown: Edgewood, WA
Backup
Javontae Jean-Baptiste
Class in 2022: Senior
Measurables: 6-feet, 5-inches, 253-pounds
Hometown: Spring Valley, NY
Where things stand
J.T. Tuimoloau separated himself as a playmaker off the edge without the benefit of significant time to get acclimated and will probably get the first look to start opposite Harrison. Javontae Jean-Baptiste saw plenty of snaps in 2021 and will be in the rotation, likely in a frontline backup role. Don’t count out Tyler Friday on either edge either.
Defensive Tackle (3-technique)
Ohio State Buckeyes defensive tackle Tyleik Williams (91) breaks up a pass from Maryland Terrapins quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa (3) during the second quarter of an NCAA Division I football game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Maryland Terrapins on Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021, at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. Credit: USA TODAY Sports Network
Starter
Tyleik Williams
Class in 2022: Sophomore
Measurables: 6-feet, 3-inches, 330-pounds
Hometown: Manassas, VA
Backup
Ty Hamilton
Class in 2022: Junior
Measurables: 6-feet, 3-inches, 290-pounds
Hometown: Pickerington, OH
Where things stand
Tyleik Williams is poised for a breakout year after flashing his potential during his freshman campaign. He’ll likely get a chance to be the main cog here with Haskell Garrett headed off to the NFL. Ty Hamilton is a steady presence with the experience to also be in the rotation. Jerron Cage will be somewhere in the mix too.
Defensive Tackle (Nose)
Ohio State Buckeyes defensive tackle Taron Vincent (6) runs a drill during Ohio State’s first football practice of fall camp at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center in Columbus on Wednesday, Aug. 4, 2021. Credit: Columbus Dispatch Syndication
Starter
Taron Vincent
Class in 2022: Senior
Measurables: 6-feet, 2-inches, 300-pounds
Hometown: Baltimore, MD
Backup
Jerron Cage
Class in 2022: Senior
Measurables: 6-feet, 4-inches, 310-pounds
Hometown: Cincinnati, OH
Where things stand
Don’t be surprised if the coaching staff moves Taron Vincent to the nose position to get both him and Williams on the field at the same time, He’s poised to break out as a seasoned veteran that started to explode at the end of the year. He’ll likely be backed up by another veteran with a ton of experience who decided to come back for one more season, Jerron Cage. The rotation on the inside should be a pretty immovable force.
Linebacker (Mike)
Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Cody Simon (39) celebrates after a stop on a kickoff return during the second quarter of an NCAA Division I football game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Rutgers Scarlet Knights on Friday, Nov. 6, 2020, at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. Credit: USA TODAY Sports Network
Starter
Cody Simon
Class in 2022: Junior
Measurables: 6-feet, 2-inches, 232-pounds
Hometown: Jersey City, NJ
Backup
Tommy Eichenberg
Class in 2022: Junior
Measurables: 6-feet, 2-inches, 235-pounds
Hometown: Cleveland, OH
Where things stand
It’ll be a battle between Simon and Eichenberg for the starting spot in the middle. It could go either way, and the reality is that they will both likely get significant time. However, Simon showed more upside and we think he gets on the field with the attacking mindset of a Jim Knowles defense.
Linebacker (Will)
Nov 7, 2020; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes running back Steele Chambers (22) runs the fake punt for a long first down during the second quarter against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Ohio Stadium. Credit: Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports
Steele Chambers
Class in 2022: Junior
Measurables: 6-feet, 1-inch, 220-pounds
Hometown: Roswell, GA
Backup
C.J. Hicks
Class in 2022: Freshman
Measurables: 6-feet, 3-inches, 215-pounds
Hometown: Dayton, OH
Where things stand
We like where this is still after our first knee-jerk projection after the Rose Bowl. Steele Chambers was the best defender on the field at times and he should pick up and develop after another year at the position. However, Hicks is the real deal and could push for significant playing time. He may even eventually be the answer as the season wears on. He should get on the field and make plays as a freshman.
Bullet (linebacker/safety)
Ohio State Buckeyes safety Ronnie Hickman (14) leaves the field following the NCAA football game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington, Ind. on Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021. Credit: USA TODAY Sports Network
Starter
Ronnie Hickman
Class in 2022: Junior
Measurables: 6-feet, 1-inch, 205-pounds
Hometown: Wayne, NJ
Backup
Kourt Williams
Class in 2022: Sophomore
Measurables: 6-feet, 1-inch, 215 pounds
Hometown: Harbor City, CA
Where things stand
Assuming Ohio State still uses a bullet-type position under Knowles, Hickman was a revelation last year and should be the guy here in 2022. This will change when the Buckeyes implement a more traditional 4-3 scheme, but you have to believe the fast-twitch playmaking ability of Kourt Williams will also come in handy here.
Cornerback (Outside No. 1)
Ohio State Buckeyes cornerback Denzel Burke (29) runs through the end zone past Rutgers Scarlet Knights running back Isaih Pacheco (1) for a touchdown after an interception during the first quarter of an NCAA Division I football game between the Rutgers Scarlet Knights and the Ohio State Buckeyes on Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, at SHI Stadium in Piscataway, New Jersey. Credit: USA TODAY Sports Network
Starter
Denzel Burke
Class in 2022: Sophomore
Measurables: 6-feet, 189-pounds
Hometown: Scottsdale, AZ
Backup
Lejond Cavazos
Class in 2022: Sophomore
Measurables: 6-feet, 195-pounds
Hometown: San Antonio, TX
Where things stand
It’s clear Denzel Burke is the guy on one edge after making it as a freshman All-American last season by some publications. He might be the next in a great line of corners to come out of Ohio State and will be even better as a lock-down guy in 2022. Cavazos looks like the guy next in line and could get the other spot if Cam Brown isn’t fully healthy at any point during the season. Also, watch for Jakailin Johnson and Jyaire Brown to push this group.
Cornerback (Outside No. 2)
Ohio State Buckeyes cornerback Cameron Brown (26) intercepts a pass from Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Sean Clifford (14) during Saturday’s NCAA Division I football game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on October 30, 2021. Credit: USA TODAY Sports Network
Starter
Cameron Brown
Class in…
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