The Recap: Everything we learned from Lettermen Row Defensive Line Week
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 — J.T. Tuimoloau summed it up best this spring for Ohio State.
If the Buckeyes defensive line is to return to dominance, it’s going to come from the little things.
“Just staying consistent with all the little things like Coach Knowles is teaching us,” Tuimoloau said in spring ball. “So that’s one thing I want to push on myself: just pay attention to the small details and all the little things that can make a difference. The little things matter, and that’s one thing I want to focus on.”
The Buckeyes have both the talent and depth to form one of the country’s top defensive lines, with all-conference — and All-American — contenders at both defensive tackle and end.
Now it’s time for the potential to be realized in the buildup to early September.
Lettermen Row is putting the finishing touches on Defensive Line Week, a week-long journey to break down in deep detail everything about the Buckeyes room that is loaded with potential. We’re wrapping it all up with a one-stop shop for everything we learned while breaking it all down before we move onto Linebackers Week.
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Here’s a sneak-peek at one of the positions Lettermen Row projected a depth chart for. Want more of that? Not a member? SUBSCRIBE TO LETTERMEN ROW
Projected defensive end depth chart
Projected starters: J.T. Tuimoloau, Jack Sawyer
The top talent inside the Ohio State defensive end room is as good as any in the country. J.T. Tuimoloau is already drawing attention as a trendy All-American pick in the preseason, while Jack Sawyer made the successful spring transition from the JACK role into a traditional hand-in-the-dirt defensive end spot.
Tuimoloau was a starter last year and gained valuable experience that will set him up for a superstar junior season. Sawyer, meanwhile, has the talent needed to break out as a first-year full-time starter.
The pair of former five-star prospects can finally line up together on the defensive line to share the spotlight as game-changing edge players. This could be a special tandem up front for Ohio State.
Projected backups: Caden Curry, Omari Abor, Kenyatta Jackson
READ MORE: Predicting Buckeyes defensive end depth chart
Full coverage of Defensive Line Week at Lettermen Row
READ: Five Questions as Buckeyes put together potentially dominant defensive line
READ: Tywone Malone locked in on football, set to aid Buckeyes defensive line
WATCH: Taking closer look at state of Buckeyes defensive line room
READ: Why ‘little things’ will help J.T. Tuimoloau lead way for Buckeyes defensive line
READ: Jack Sawyer feeling ‘at home’ after switch back to full-time defensive end for Buckeyes
READ: Four challenging offensive lines Buckeyes will face this season
READ: Healthy Omari Abor ‘starting to turn a corner’ for Buckeyes defensive line
READ: Jason Moore could quietly play way into rotational role as true freshman
READ: How Mitchell Melton can thrive in hybrid role for Buckeyes
