Ohio State Buckeyes: Projecting the 2021 depth chart on defense after spring practice

While some positions almost have too many good options, others could use a few more. Beyond that, a few variables exist that muddy the waters, including what type of player the staff wants to use as the third linebacker or fifth defensive back.

Here is an overview as spring prepares to turn to summer:

Defensive line

Starters: Tyreke Smith and Zach Harrison (ends), Jarron Cage and Haskell Garrett (tackles)

In the mix: Javontae Jean-Baptiste, Tyler Friday, Noah Potter, Jack Sawyer, Antwuan Jackson, Taron Vincent, Ty Hamilton, Darrion Henry-Young and others.

Coach Larry Johnson loves to go deep with his rotations, and all indications are he will be able to do that this fall with a plethora of not only talented but in most cases experienced players at all four spots.

Harrison and Smith are both big-time talents who have flashed the ability to wreck games, but neither has quite reached his potential yet. Jean-Baptiste and Friday both have starting experience while Sawyer may be too talented to keep off the field as a true freshman.

Cage figures to share time with Vincent at nose tackle while Garrett and Jackson rotate at 3-technique, but those sports are virtually interchangeable.

Multiple players could be viewed as regulars at all four positions up front.

Linebacker

Starters: Dallas Gant, Teradja Mitchell, K’Vaughn Pope (SAM)

In the mix: Tommy Eichenberg, Cody Simon, Reid Carrico

This is a spot where depth is a question because of injuries, but coach Al Johnson has several older players he can look to as he replaces four seniors who graduated. Gant was slowed by a foot injury in the sprint, but he is a senior whose time could be at hand when he is healthy. Classmates Mitchell and Pope have also been waiting in the wings, but Eichenberg and Simon made strong impressions this spring.

“Bullet”

Starter: Craig Young

In the mix: Ronnie Hickman and Kourt Williams

A position talked about more than seen over the past two years could be a big factor this fall with hybrid players manning it. If so, it would take the place on the field of the SAM outside linebacker. Young is a linebacker with some safety skills while Hickman is a safety with some linebacker skills. Williams, whose true freshman season was wiped out by an injury, should fall somewhere in between.

Free safety

Starter: Josh Proctor

In the mix: Bryson Shaw, Jantzen Dunn

The last line of defense was unreliable last season, but Proctor and Shaw have both shown flashes of being able to handle the task. The next step is consistency. Dunn is a true freshman who flashed a few times during spring ball.

Slot safety

Starter: Lathan Ransom or Marcus Williamson

In the mix: Cam Martinez

Williamson is a veteran who had some ups and downs at multiple spots last season while Ransom is a youngster who flashed when given the opportunity late in his true freshman season. Hopes are high both can take another step to become reliable options for the coaching staff, perhaps in different types of game situations.

Martinez is an intriguing talent who was new to being a full-time defensive player when he arrived on campus last summer. He could also play outside this fall.

Cornerback

Starters: Sevyn Banks and Cam Brown

In the mix: Ryan Watts, Tyreke Johnson, Lejond Cavazos, Denzel Burke

This is a position with multiple unknowns for a variety of reasons. Banks and Brown both started last season, but both were limited participants this spring while recovering from injuries. (Brown missed most of the season with an Achilles injury.)

With the elder statesmen sidelined, youngsters Watts and Cavazos got long looks, and the coaching staff liked what they saw. Are they ready to be full-timers? Would they be an upgrade over the veterans? Time will tell. Johnson is a wild card as a former five-star recruit who has flashed that ability at times but been inconsistent.

Freshmen Jakailin Johnson and Jordan Hancock will join this group in the summer, and defensive coordinator Kerry Coombs said they could jump right into the mix.