Tale of the Tape: Knowing the basics of Buckeyes defensive tackles
COLUMBUS — Ohio State has the talent on hand to dominate in the trenches, even with the loss of a second-round pick in the NFL Draft.
Yes, Mike Hall is now with the Cleveland Browns instead of the Buckeyes. But they still return multiple defensive tackle who were part of the rotation a season ago. One of them is already drawing major NFL Draft buzz. The younger players in the room are poised to break out, as well.
Lettermen Row is kicking off Defensive Line Week by taking a look at the basics of the defensive tackles who could see major action this fall at Ohio State. Let’s dive in.
Fifth-year defensive tackle Ty Hamilton
Height: 6-foot-3
Weight: 295 pounds
High school: Pickerington Central (Pickerington, Ohio)
On3 Industry Ranking: Three-star Ty Hamilton was ranked as the No. 749 overall player in the country, the No. 56 defensive tackle and the No. 24 player in the state of Ohio in the class of 2020.
Picked Buckeyes over: Hamilton picked Ohio State over Penn State and Michigan.
Stats at Ohio State: Hamilton has 65 total tackles, seven tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks, as well as two pass breakups and a fumble recovery in his career for the Buckeyes.
Fourth-year defensive tackle Tyleik Williams
Height: 6-foot-3
Weight: 327 pounds
High school: Unity Reed (Manassas, Virginia)
On3 Industry Ranking: Four-star Tyleik Williams was ranked as the No. 156 overall player in the country, the No. 20 defensive tackle and the No. 6 player in the state of Virginia in the class of 2021.
Picked Buckeyes over: Williams picked Ohio State over Alabama, North Carolina, LSU, South Carolina and Virginia Tech.
Stats at Ohio State: Williams has 90 total tackles, 19 tackles for loss and nine sacks, as well as nine pass breakups and a fumble recovery for a touchdown in his career for the Buckeyes.
Fourth-year defensive tackle Tywone Malone
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 301 pounds
High school: Bergen Catholic (Jamesburg, New Jersey)
On3 Industry Ranking: Four-star Tywone Malone was ranked as the No. 86 overall player in the country, the No. 11 defensive tackle and the No. 1 player in the state of New Jersey in the class of 2021.
Picked Buckeyes over: Malone committed to Ohio State after originally committing to play at Ole Miss in the class of 2021.
Stats at Ohio State: Malone has five total tackles and 1/2 of a tackle for loss at Ohio State after he played in games sparingly for the Rebels in his first two years in college football.
Third-year defensive tackle Hero Kanu
Height: 6-foot-5
Weight: 305 pounds
High school: Santa Margarita Catholic (Rancho Santa Margarita, California)
On3 Industry Ranking: Four-star Hero Kanu was ranked as the No. 121 overall player in the country, the No. 15 defensive tackle and the No. 9 player in the state of California in the class of 2022.
Picked Buckeyes over: Kanu committed to Ohio State over Oklahoma and Georgia, among others.
Stats at Ohio State: Kanu has 10 total tackles and a sack during his career at Ohio State.
Second-year defensive tackle Will Smith Jr.
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 288 pounds
High school: Coffman (Dublin, Ohio)
On3 Industry Ranking: Four-star Will Smith Jr. was ranked as the No. 243 overall player in the country, the No. 30 defensive lineman and the No. 6 player in the state of Ohio in the class of 2023.
Picked Buckeyes over: Will Smith Jr. committed to Ohio State early in the 2023 recruiting cycle and became a peer recruiter for the Buckeyes.
Stats at Ohio State: 0 stats
On3 scouting snippet: Twitchy interior defender who wins with burst off the line of scrimmage and an incredibly advanced understanding of leverage and hand usage. Fantastic bend and flexibility for his size, stellar athlete. … Lacks ideal arm length to play on the edge but also lacks the frame to add substantial weight so he will be limited to a 3-technique. One of the highest floors in the country who will walk into an immediate role as a situational interior pass rusher. Ceiling is limited due to length but the athleticism and raw power could potential supersede those deficiencies.
Second-year defensive lineman Jason Moore
Height: 6-foot-6
Weight: 305 pounds
High school: DeMatha Catholic (Fort Washington, Maryland)
On3 Industry Ranking: Four-star Jason Moore was ranked as the No. 61 overall player in the country, the No. 9 defensive lineman and the No. 2 player in the state of Maryland in the class of 2023.
Picked Buckeyes over: Jason Moore committed to the Buckeyes over Notre Dame, Penn State, Maryland and Michigan.
Stats at Ohio State: 0 stats
On3 scouting snippet: Moore is one of the more physically imposing defensive prospects in the 2023 cycle. … Has the athleticism and size to play as a strong-side end or three-technique tackle at the next level. Moore uses length in order to keep chest clean consistently against the run. Shows constant pursuit to the ball carrier from the backside. Looks to be a high-motor player. Productive while facing top competition, tallying 13 sacks as a junior. Needs to refine hand usage and pass rush arsenal in order to reach his full potential. Has the frame to continue adding mass once in a college strength program.
Second-year defensive tackle Kayden McDonald
Height: 6-foot-3
Weight: 326 pounds
High school: North Gwinnett (Suwanee, Georgia)
On3 Industry Ranking: Four-star Kayden McDonald was ranked as the No. 273 overall player in the country, the No. 37 defensive lineman and the No. 24 player in the state of Georgia in the class of 2023.
Picked Buckeyes over: Kayden McDonald committed to the Buckeyes over Clemson, Oklahoma, Michigan and Florida.
Stats at Ohio State: McDonald has one total tackle during his career with the Buckeyes.
First-year defensive tackle Eric Mensah
Height: 6-foot-3
Weight: 290 pounds
High school: Mountain View (Stafford, Virginia)
On3 Industry Ranking: Three-star Eric Mensah was ranked as the No. 691 overall player in the country, the No. 61 defensive tackle and the No. 11 player in the state of Virginia in the class of 2024.
Picked Buckeyes over: Mensah picked Ohio State as a flip from in-state Virginia Tech.
