Ohio State 2023 defensive signees' stats, honors

COLUMBUS — The Ohio State defense just expanded by 10.

The Buckeyes signed 10 2023 defensive prospects on Dec. 21, the first day of the Early Signing Period for the 2023 cycle.

Ohio State has the No. 5 class in the On3 Consensus Team Rankings, and the No. 1 class in the Big Ten.

A few of the defensive prospects the Buckeyes signed were a major part of how they ended up with a top-five class yet again.

Lettermen Row looks at the statistics and honors all 10 signees bring with them to Columbus.

Let’s check it out.

Kayden McDonald

Four-star Suwanee (Ga) North Gwinnett defensive lineman Kayden McDonald is a game-wrecker and a great pickup by the Buckeyes.

He leaves North Gwinnett High with 234 career tackles, 46 sacks, and 131 tackles for loss.

Will Smith Jr.

Four-star Dublin (Ohio) Coffman defensive lineman Will Smith Jr. is more than just a legacy prospect.

Smith often was double, even tripled team by opposing offenses his senior season, and even so he still totaled 47 tackles, 14 tackles-for-loss and five sacks in 10 games.

Jason Moore

Four-star Fort Washington (Md.) DeMatha Catholic Jason Moore gives Ohio State options as a weapon on the defensive line.

He can play on the outside or the inside, and his efforts earned him the Washington Post’s DMV player of the year.

Joshua Mickens

Four-star Indianapolis (Ind) Lawrence Central EDGE Joshua Mickens is the latest addition to the Buckeyes 2023 class and a welcomed one for certain.

He totaled 74 tackles, 20.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks his senior season. Mickens was voted as the defensive lineman of the year by the Indiana Football Coaches Association and he earned First-Team All-Indiana.

Arvell Reese

Four-star Cleveland (Ohio) Glenville linebacker Arvell Reese reopened the Glenville-to-Ohio State pipeline.

The nation’s No. 116 overall prospect led the Tarblooders to their first state championship in program history this fall.

Reese earned the Division IV Defensive Player of the Year and First-Team All-Ohio honors.

Jermaine Mathews

Four-star Cincinnati (Ohio) Winton Woods cornerback Jermaine Mathews is an in-state gem and a player that Ohio State is glad to have.

He was named the Division II Defensive Player of the Year for his play this fall which was highlighted by six interceptions — three of which were returned for touchdowns.

Mathews also earned First-Team All-Ohio honors.

Calvin Simpson-Hunt

Four-star Waxahachie (Texas) cornerback Calvin Simpson-Hunt, much like his counterpart Mathews, is an aggressive playmaker that should fit well at Ohio State.

Simpson-Hunt had 25 tackles this fall and only had three passes thrown his way this fall.

Malik Hartford

Four-star West Chester (Ohio) Lakota West safety Malik Hartford is a major in-state get for the Buckeyes.

Hartford earned a share of the Division I Defensive Player of the Year award and was named First-Team All-Ohio honors.

He had 43 tackles, five pass breakups, four tackles for loss and two interceptions this fall.

Jayden Bonsu

Four-star Hillside (N.J.) St. Peters’ Prep safety Jayden Bonsu was the last in the class to sign his Letter of Intent.

But he is now a Buckeye.

Bonsu had 70 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, two sacks and an interception this fall.

Cedrick Hawkins

Four-star Titusville (Fla) Cocoa safety Cedrick Hawkins was the first defensive commit to the Buckeyes 2023 class.

He’s fresh off a state championship win and a senior season with production. Hawkins totaled 50 tackles, three pass breakups and an interception this fall.