J.T. Tuimoloau and Jack Sawyer combine to lead a ferocious defensive line unit for the Ohio State football team heading into 2024. 

The Ohio State Buckeyes are coming off of a season where they saw a big improvement in almost every major category across the Silver Bullets defense. The defense was flying around and this started up front with the rushmen unit.

Ohio State’s defensive line was a huge part of the team’s success in 2023, and the return of almost the entire unit bodes well for the Scarlet and Gray. With dominant performers across the line, this defensive group will look to provide big plays for the team in a new era of college football.

The major departure from the group after the 2023 season was defensive tackle Michael Hall, who will get drafted in one of the earlier rounds of the NFL Draft. Many other players on the defense including the defensive line had the chance to depart for the next level but returned to make sure business wasn’t left unfinished.

Big Names Across the Defensive Line for the Buckeyes in the 2024 Season

J.T. Tuimoloau will be an obvious starter at defensive end for the rushmen in 2024 and has seen steady progression each season with the Buckeyes. The senior is coming off a season with 38 total tackles, two passes defended, and five sacks. Tuimoloau made some big plays the two years prior, none bigger than the memorable Penn State whiteout game. He registered an unreal stat line of six total tackles, two sacks, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, and two interceptions, including one for a touchdown in the elite performance. He and his counterpart across from him will look to be a wrecking crew in backfields for the new-look Big Ten this season. Assuming he has a strong dominant senior campaign, he will be an early pick in the next NFL draft.

Jack Sawyer is another defensive end who had the opportunity to pursue his NFL dream but wanted to leave his mark even more as a Buckeye. Sawyer is another starter on the team that is set in stone and had some of his best games as the season went on last year. He finished the year with a team-leading six-and-a-half sacks and added two forced fumbles and 48 total tackles. Sawyer is also due for a big senior season and will have help along the line to avoid getting double-teamed.

Tyleik Williams is yet another pro-ready Buckeye who is returning and ready to blow up offenses. He is a lock to start in the three-technique defense after playing the role last season. Another senior and veteran up front, Williams made 54 tackles for the and added five passes defended with three sacks. Even when there are just three linemen on the field, this trio of seniors will be arguably the best in the nation at making an impact.

Joining the four-front at the nose position will likely be Ty Hamilton. Hamilton is a senior who had 38 total tackles and two sacks in 2023. Hamilton shared snaps with Hall last season and will likely fill a majority of the snaps left by him. The depth behind Hamilton and the rest of the line is solid and will allow for fresh legs in what could be a longer season than ever before with the expanded playoff.

Next up on the edge for the Buckeyes includes junior pass rushers Caden Curry and Kenyatta Jackson Jr. They helped back up the unit in 2023, and will be joined by incoming five-star freshman Eddrick Houston. Senior Mitchell Melton could be joining the group with a new hybrid position being introduced which could be played by a linebacker/end.

Providing stability on the interior will be junior Hero Kanu and sophomore Kayden McDonald. Both did well when given the opportunity and have the most experience with their snap counts with the Buckeyes. Senior Tywone Malone and sophomore Jason Moore round out the rest of the unit for the team.

With a plethora of future NFL-bound talent returning, there is no reason for the Ohio State defense, especially the defensive line, to not be wreaking havoc all season long. If they can pressure opposing quarterbacks and offenses, they can help the scarlet and gray return to the promised land in the postseason.