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Buckeyes defensive line aiming for more consistency, production

Spencer-Holbrookby:Spencer Holbrook•08/17/23•

SpencerHolbrook

J.T. Tuimoloau by Matt Parker -- Lettermen Row --
Ohio State defensive end J.T. Tuimoloau (Matt Parker/Lettermen Row)

COLUMBUS — Ohio State believes this will be the year.

After struggling to get to the quarterback on the edge and having a fair share of troubles stopping the run up front for a couple of seasons, the Buckeyes truly feel like this edition of their defensive line will be the one to uphold the set standard inside the defensive line room for position coach Larry Johnson.

There’s simply too much talent for any other result to transpire.

“Oh, very,” Ohio State junior defensive end J.T. Tuimoloau said Thursday after practice when asked whether the defensive line will be dangerous this season. “There’s still lots of work on, still a lot to go.”

That work began in January and carried through the entire offseason. Now it’s trickling into the preseason. Of course, it’s spearheaded by a pair of former five-star recruits in Tuimoloau and Jack Sawyer, who will be the tone-setters for this unit come September.

But it also features talented youngsters such as Caden Curry and Kenyatta Jackson Jr., who will be expected to help disrupt opposing offenses.

And that’s just on the edge. Ohio State has a bevy of talented interior options who are looking to make an impact, as well, most notably Mike Hall, Ty Hamilton and Tywone Malone. All three of them — and others — will determine if this unit can become a top-level force up front.

“All of us are working really hard and we look like a great group,” second-year defensive end Caden Curry said. “We’re communicating good together. We all work together. we all love each other. so I think it’s going to be a great year.”

Legendary defensive line coach Larry Johnson is making sure it all starts with stopping the run, even more so this season than in previous campaigns. He stressed that Thursday. The pass rush will come. But stopping the run is the top priority for this unit.

Of course, Lettermen Row’s Spencer Holbrook, Andy Backstrom and Tim May were back inside the Woody Hayes Athletic Center as Lettermen Row heard from the Ohio State defensive tackles and defensive ends Thursday. The crew breaks down what it heard Thursday morning — the 13th practice of camp for the program this August. Watch here or on the Lettermen Row Youtube channel, and make sure to subscribe to that channel for more Buckeyes breakdown videos.

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