Tale of the Tape: Knowing the basics of Buckeyes defensive ends
The summer offseason is in full swing, and Lettermen Row is trying to survive it with our annual Position Week breakdowns. By the time all nine units and coaching staff at Ohio State have been covered, training camp and media days will nearly have arrived, and the return of football in the Horseshoe will be just around the corner. We’re continuing with our sixth positional week — and first on the defensive side — with a unit primed for a breakout season: the Buckeyes defensive line.
COLUMBUS — Ohio State has high hopes for its defensive ends this season.
The Buckeyes return two former five-star recruits and a trio of talented second-year players who are all vying for playing time early in their careers. By no means will it be the deepest room on the roster — or even the defense — it should be a productive unit that pushes piles backward.
Lettermen Row is kicking off Defensive Line Week by taking a look at the basics of the defensive linemen at Ohio State. Let’s dive in.
Third-year defensive end Jack Sawyer
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 265 pounds
High school: Pickerington North (Pickerington, Ohio)
On3 Industry Ranking: Five-star Jack Sawyer was ranked as the No. 4 overall player in the country, the No. 1 EDGE and the No. 1 player in the state of Ohio in the class of 2021.
Picked Buckeyes over: Sawyer picked Ohio State early in his recruitment and never considered other options after his commitment. He was a class leader for the Buckeyes.
Stats at Ohio State: Sawyer has 35 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks, a pass breakup and a forced fumble in his career for the Buckeyes.
Third-year defensive end J.T. Tuimoloau
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 271 pounds
High school: Eastside Catholic (Edgewood, Washington)
On3 Industry Ranking: Five-star J.T. Tuimoloau was ranked as the No. 5 overall player in the country, the No. 2 defensive lineman and the No. 1 player in the state of Washington in the class of 2021.
Picked Buckeyes over: Tuimoloau picked Ohio State later than any other player in the class by choosing the Buckeyes over Alabama, USC and Oregon on July 4, 2021.
Stats at Ohio State: Tuimoloau has 45 tackles, 15 tackles for loss and seven sacks, two interceptions — one for a touchdown — five pass breakups, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery in his career for the Buckeyes.
Second-year defensive end Kenyatta Jackson Jr.
Height: 6-foot-5
Weight: 252 pounds
High school: Chaminade-Madonna Prep (Hollywood, Florida)
On3 Industry Ranking: Four-star Kenyatta Jackson Jr. was ranked as the No. 46 overall player in the country, the No. 6 EDGE and the No. 9 player in the state of Florida in the class of 2022.
Picked Buckeyes over: Jackson picked Ohio State over Alabama and Oklahoma.
Stats at Ohio State: Jackson has just two career tackles for the Buckeyes as he took a redshirt season of development.
Second-year defensive end Omari Abor
Height: 6-foot-3
Weight: 268 pounds
High school: Duncanville (Duncanville, Texas)
On3 Industry Ranking: Four-star Omari Abor was ranked as the No. 79 overall player in the country, the No. 12 defensive lineman and the No. 15 player in the state of Texas in the class of 2022.
Picked Buckeyes over: Abor picked Ohio State over Alabama, LSU, Texas, Texas A&M and Florida.
Stats at Ohio State: Abor has no career stats for the Buckeyes as he took a redshirt season of development.
Second-year defensive end Caden Curry
Height: 6-foot-3
Weight: 259 pounds
High school: Center Grove (Greenwood, Indiana)
On3 Industry Ranking: Four-star Caden Curry was ranked as the No. 128 overall player in the country, the No. 18 defensive lineman and the No. 4 player in the state of Indiana in the class of 2022.
Picked Buckeyes over: Curry picked Ohio State over Alabama and most other major programs.
Stats at Ohio State: Curry had 14 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and 0.5 sacks last fall in Year One at Ohio State.
Freshman Joshua Mickens
Height: 6-foot-5
Weight: 225 pounds
High school: Lawrence Central (Indianapolis, Indiana)
On3 Industry Ranking: Four-star Joshua Mickens was ranked as the No. 101 overall player in the country, the No. 14 EDGE and the No. 1 player in the state of Indiana in the class of 2023.
Picked Buckeyes over: Mickens picked Ohio State after decommitting from LSU late in the recruiting cycle.
On3 scouting snippet: One of the more flexible pass rushers in what is a deep group at the position in the 2023 cycle. Measured at around 6-foot-3, 22 -pounds with a 34.25-inch arm and 10-inch hand prior to his senior season. On the shorter side, but has plus length with a frame to add more weight. Shows an advanced first step along with the ability to dip and bend around the edge. A fluid, functional mover. Able to bend and turn the corner. Will need to continue adding bulk and mass, but has some functional strength that belies his current size. Productive as a junior, totaling 23 tackles for loss and 12 sacks. Backed up that season with 20.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks as a senior. Plays with a high effort level on Friday nights. Also has a strong multi-sport profile as a top basketball player to go with a shot put toss at around 53 feet as a junior.
