Ohio State will get back three key contributors from a year ago as defensive lineman Jerron Cage and linebackers Palaie Gaoteote and Teradja Mitchell will return to Columbus for one more season, Ryan Day announced in his press conference on Monday.
Big news for the Buckeyes: Teradja Mitchell, Palaie Gaoteote, and Jerron Cage will all return next season. Provides a major boost. pic.twitter.com/a4TbuMFsc7
— The Silver Bulletin (@tSilverBulletin) January 31, 2022
Cage will enter his sixth year in Columbus, with his role steadily increasing each season. The last remaining player from a loaded 2017 class which included Chase Young, Jeff Okudah, and Thayer Munford, Cage recorded 11 tackles, a sack, two fumble recoveries, and a touchdown this past season.
Gaoteote transferred to Ohio State from USC prior to the 2021 season and missed the first game of the season awaiting a ruling on his eligibility. After being approved, Gaoteote notched nine total tackles and 0.5 sacks in 2021. He will look to earn a bigger role in 2022 under tutelage from new defensive coordinator Jim Knowles.
The biggest returning piece of the three is fifth-year senior-to-be Teradja Mitchell. The Virginia Beach native recorded 44 tackles in the 2021 season, playing a significant role. He will look to improve his draft stock under Knowles, but will have to deal with several newcomers at the linebacker position in addition to the returns of Cody Simon, Tommy Eichenberg, and Gaoteote.
Dave is the founder of The Silver Bulletin. After starting his own venture, Dave wrote for Eleven Warriors for four years whilst a student at The Ohio State University. After graduating in May of 2021 with a degree in marketing, the writing bug returned and The Silver Bulletin was born.