Scarlet Sunrise: Ohio State near top of 2023 ESPN Defensive Line U rankings

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Ohio State near top of 2023 ESPN Defensive Line U rankings

ESPN rolled out its “Position U” rankings for 2023 earlier this month, and Lettermen Row is continuing to analyze where ESPN staff writer David Hale placed Ohio State.

This time, we’re taking a look at Hale’s Defensive Line U rankings. He had the Buckeyes third, behind only Alabama and Florida State.

Ohio State is hoping for its defensive front to have a resurgent year this season, but the talent is there. The Buckeyes are spearheaded by a pair of former top-five overall prospects in defensive ends J.T. Tuimoloau and Jack Sawyer. Plus, defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. could be the best interior pass rusher in college football this year.

But longtime defensive line coach Larry Johnson needs that potential to match execution this year, like it did when the trio of Joey Bosa, Nick Bosa and Chase Young each developed into top-three overall NFL Draft selections.

“A quick reminder of our formula: ESPN Stats & Information combed through data on every team dating back to 1998, looking at key markers of greatness at each position. We awarded points for college production (by way of all-conference and All-America honors), NFL draft selections and NFL production (though only through the players’ first five years — Michigan can claim responsibility for Tom Brady’s success for only so long).”

David Hale, ESPN staff writer

Here’s the complete top 10:

1. Alabama
2. Florida State
3. Ohio State
4. Clemson
5. Penn State
6. Texas
7. LSU
8. USC
9. Georgia
10. Michigan

Hale points out that Alabama has had at least one defensive lineman taken in the opening three rounds of the NFL Draft annually since 2016. And, more often than not, their success has translated to the next level.

Then there’s FSU, which used to occupy the No. 1 spot in these rankings, according to Hale. That said, head coach Mike Norvell has the Seminoles back on track, including their D-Line. The trio of Jared Verse, Fabien Lovett and Patrick Payton is a big reason why FSU is an ACC title contender and College Football Playoff candidate.

Ohio State has quite the defensive line legacy but must live up to those expectations this season to hang around in the top three. Keep in mind, the Buckeyes haven’t had a defensive lineman chosen in the first two rounds of the NFL Draft since 2020 when Young went No. 2 overall.

Lessons learned as Buckeyes safety pecking order begins to take shape

You can’t miss it: Ohio State has a “safety-driven defense.” Defensive coordinator Jim Knowles, now in his second year with the Buckeyes, has beat his drum to that mantra since he was hired.

And Ohio State safeties coach Perry Eliano has echoed that sentiment.

After all, the Buckeyes play with three safeties in a 4-2-5 system. Which three will be lining up on the first defensive series of the opener at Indiana, however, is still undecided, according to Eliano.

Eliano and four of his safeties met with the media in the Woody Hayes Athletic Center Tuesday. Lettermen Row is overviewing what we learned. Check it out here.

‘Quarterback is really a service position’: Tristan Gebbia embracing shape-shifting role for Buckeyes

In his seventh year of college football, but first with the Buckeyes, veteran quarterback Tristan Gebbia has an open mind to a malleable role with the program.

He’s doubling as an experienced quarterback on the field who offers Ohio State depth as a fourth scholarship quarterback. And, in meeting rooms, he’s a quasi-grad assistant, getting a head start on his coaching career.

Gebbia is comfortable wearing multiple hats and doing whatever’s asked of him at Ohio State.

“More than anything, quarterback is really a service position,” Gebbia said. “It’s about serving your teammates, serving the program and putting your teammates in the program before yourself. …”

For the full story, go here.

ICYMI: Photos as Ohio State checks in for training camp

Ohio State checked into the Hyatt Place in Grandview Yard Monday, officially marking the beginning of Buckeyes training camp.

Lettermen Row was there to capture the moment. You can find our photo gallery here.

Marvin Harrison Jr. brought the drip to the Ohio State training camp hotel check-in 🥶 pic.twitter.com/zivwujGqsY

— Andy Backstrom (@andybackstrom) August 8, 2023

Counting down

Buckeyes vs. Indiana: 24 days
Buckeyes vs. Michigan: 109 days

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