Ohio State football post-spring projected depth chart on defense

Now that we are past spring ball and the 2026 NFL draft , it feels like a good time to see where things land with a projected two-deep depth chart for the Ohio State football team. It's no easy task with 51 new players in the program, but we did get to see some reps and hear some guys start to make a name for themselves during the spring, so what we thought we knew after the transfer portal closed is much different now. In fact, what we project and predict now will also most likely change once we hit fall camp and begin to see some more things after a summer of conditioning and development behind the scenes.

But, as always, we're game to give it a try. We've already gone through this exercise on the offensive side of the ball , and now it's time to look at the defense and special teams. Here's a look at a projected Ohio State football depth chart on defense and special teams post-spring.

Ohio State football projected two-deep depth chart on defense and special teams Defensive Line Starters: Kenyatta Jackson (defensive end), Eddrick Houston (defensive tackle), James Smith (defensive tackle), Qua Russaw (defensive end) Backups: Zion Grady (defensive end), John Walker Jr (defensive tackle), Will Smith (defensive tackle), Beau Atkinson (defensive end) There isn't a huge, known difference maker on the defensive line this coming year, but maybe a couple become household names when it's all said and done. Either way, defensive line coach Larry Johnson would love to rotate eight players, so if this is the two-deep, look for all of these guys to get plenty of time. The coaching staff went out to get experience for a reason, so we're going with Alabama transfers Smith and Russaw to get the nod over Will Smith Jr.

and Atkinson to pair with Jackson and Houston as starters. This competition figures to go deep into the fall before we see who emerges. Linebacker Starters: Payton Pierce, Christian Alliegro Backups: Riley Pettijohn, Cincere Johnson Pierce will be a starter with no question.