Scarlet Sunrise: PFF ranks Ohio State defensive line near top of country

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PFF ranks Ohio State defensive line near top of country

Pro Football Focus is continuing to rank the top-10 teams in the country for each position group. Ohio State once again found itself near the top of the board, this time on the defensive side of the ball.

PFF college football analyst Max Chadwick ranked the Buckeyes defensive line No. 2 in the nation, only behind Georgia.

The Bulldogs are hard to beat in that category. Even though they lost defensive tackle Jalen Carter and edge rusher Nolan Smith — both of whom were picked by the Philadelphia Eagles in the first round of this year’s NFL Draft — they still have a vaunted defensive front. It’s a group headlined by sophomore Mykel Williams, the On3 Industry Ranking’s No. 6 overall prospect in the 2022 class, who piled up six sacks and 33 pressures generated as a true freshman. Don’t overlook defensive tackles Nazir Stackhouse and Warren Brinson. That duo could be a force to be reckoned with on the interior.

Georgia has recent proof of its successful defensive line pipeline. You have to go back a few years to find the same kind of success at Ohio State, even though the Buckeyes have still recruited exceptionally well there, especially at defensive end. That’s why 2023 is a critical year: Ohio State has a pair of former top-five prospects in J.T. Tuimoloau and Jack Sawyer who, despite glimpses of stardom, have yet to truly break out as edge rushers. Then there’s defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. — he was on pace for All-American honors before he was slowed by his shoulder injury.

Here’s what Chadwick had to say about the group:

“J.T. Tuimoloau is a top-10 edge defender in the country and is a projected top-20 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Tyleik Williams was named to the second-team of our All-Big Ten list, and his 12.4% pass-rush win-rate in 2022 ranked second among Big Ten interior defensive linemen with at least 140 pass-rushing snaps. Michael Hall Jr. was third among that group with an 11.3% pressure rate last year and is a projected top-25 pick in the 2024 draft. Jack Sawyer was third-team preseason All-Big Ten and was one of 10 edge defenders in the conference last season with 70-plus grades as both a pass-rusher and run-defender.

“That’s not even including Ty Hamilton, who was a starter for the Buckeyes in 2022 as an interior defensive lineman.”

Max Chadwick, PFF College Football Analyst

Here is Chadwick’s complete top 10, when it comes to ranking the country’s best defensive lines:

1. Georgia
2. Ohio State
3. Michigan
4. Illinois
5. Florida State
6. LSU
7. Alabama
8. UCLA
9. Miami
10. Penn State

Three storylines to track as Buckeyes gear up for preseason camp

The offseason is about to become the preseason: Ohio State fall camp begins Aug. 3.

Heading into the 2023 campaign, the Buckeyes aren’t the favorite to win the Big Ten. That title belongs to Michigan, which has both beaten Ohio State and won the league the last two years.

The Buckeyes enter August with a good bit of optimism surrounding the program, however. After all, aside from quarterback and offensive line, they’re stocked with returners that could make up Ohio State’s most prolific draft class. Ever.

Lettermen Row is highlighting three storylines to watch as the Buckeyes kick off fall camp later this week at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center. Check it out here.

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Takeaways, intel after Ohio State SummerFest event

Ohio State had a massive recruiting weekend, and it started Friday with SummerFest, its first recruiting event in over a month.

The Buckeyes welcomed several commits and recruiting targets at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center before the August dead period.

The biggest takeaway was the surprise commitment of elite 2026 Cincinnati (Ohio) Withrow wide receiver Chris Henry Jr.

Lettermen Row has more on Henry Jr., plus additional observations from SummerFest.

To get all of that, head on over here.

RELATED

• Chris Henry Jr. gives Ohio State first member in 2026 class, Brian Hartline recruiting run continues

• Decision day fakes, Bryce West and opportunity: Why Aaron Scott Jr chose Ohio State

Counting down

Buckeyes vs. Indiana: 32 days
Buckeyes vs. Michigan: 117 days

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