Ohio State breakdown: Analyzing the defensive front seven

We start a breakdown of the positions on that side of the ball with the front.

Defensive line

Returning starter: Zach Harrison (end)

Projected new starters: Jerron Cage (nose tackle), Taron Vincent (3-technique), Javontae Jean-Baptiste

Next wave: Jack Sawyer and J.T. Tuimoloau (ends), Ty Hamilton and Tyliek Williams (tackles)

Also in the mix: Mike Hall Jr., Jaden McKenzie, Tyler Friday

On the horizon: Caden Curry, Kenyatta Jackson, Omari Abor, Hero Kanu

Injured: Mitchell Melton

We added a separate group — “next wave” — to this preview as opposed the other positions because coach Larry Johnson can and will rotate heavily. He will play at least eight if not 10 players regularly — provided they earn it.

Harrison is a senior and returning captain still looking to find his stride after arriving as a five-star recruit. He has been solid but not quite lived up to his billing as the best prospect in Ohio in the 2019 class.

Jean-Baptiste has grown a lot physically in his four-plus years in Columbus, but he is also still yet to show the type of production Ohio State is used to at end.

Cage was solid as a reserve last season and is a stout presence as a super senior while Vincent will look to finally show why he was a five-star prospect five years ago.

If any of the veterans are injured or don’t produce, Ohio State is likely to be in good shape anyway as a Sawyer, Tuimoloau, Hamilton, Hall and Williams give Johnson five sophomores of whom much is expected. Sawyer and Tuimoloau were both five-star recruits in the class of 2021 and showed why in flashes last season on the edge, as did four-star Williams inside. Hamilton has already shown he can be an anchor in the middle, and Hall could do the same.

While McKenzie and Friday are veterans looking to find a role, Curry enrolled early and made a strong impression in the spring at end while fellow four-star true freshmen Jackson, Abor and Kanu are set to add more depth after arriving this summer.

Melton was one of the players to emerge during spring but suffered a long-term injury in the spring game.

Linebacker

Returning starters: Cody Simon, Steele Chambers

Also in the mix: Teradja Mitchell, Palaie Gaoteote, Tommy Eichenberg, Chip Trayanum, Reid Carrico

On the horizon: C.J. Hicks, Gabe Powers

New defensive coordinator Jim Knowles is coaching this group, which struggled mightily last season with new faces slow to get acclimated and in some cases unable to stay healthy.

Simon and Chambers showed well at times despite Simon having to play through a shoulder injury and Chambers adjusting to life on defense after spending his first two seasons in Columbus at running back.

They have both displayed strong instincts and should fit well in Knowles’ scheme, which calls for only two full-time linebackers and puts a premium on speed and pursuit.

Eichenberg is a fourth-year player from Cleveland who could grab a starting spot after impressing Knowles with his ability to understand the defense and find the ball.

Mitchell is a senior who was voted a captain last season but struggled to stay healthy or make an impact when he was on the field.

Trayanum is a wild card as a transfer from Arizona State — where he played running back. The Akron native was also a prospect as a defensive player in high school, and he has a couple of years to get reacclimatized on that side of the ball back in his home state

Gaoteote arrived last season as a transfer from USC but had a hard time finding a niche. If he does this year, it would likely be in a sub package as a third linebacker.

Carrico, a second-year player from Ironton, could also be a candidate to play Sam linebacker when the Buckeyes need one against offenses that are more power-oriented.

Hicks (who starred at Alter the last four years) and Powers are highly-regarded true freshmen who got their feet wet in the spring and impressed Knowles.