Last year at this time, we had no idea what the Ohio State defense was going to be. “You’re telling me the Buckeyes hired MATT PATRICIA???” Social media was abuzz, and rivals were dunking on the Buckeyes like prime Vince Carter. Then, Ohio State had the best defense in the nation and produced three top-11 picks, including a guy most people hadn’t heard of to that point.
Now, Ohio State must replace seven starters. While guys like Kenyatta Jackson Jr., Jaylen McClain, and Jermaine Mathews Jr. are all entrenched, Patricia must find the next men up. There are going to be plenty of new faces suiting up, so let’s try to take a shot at predicting who the breakout candidates are for the defense this year.
Breakout Candidates on the Ohio State Defense
The Next Arvell Reese
The Ohio State defense has to replace both of its starting linebackers, so the job is up for grabs. While it brought in Christian Alliegro and has Payton Pierce, this year’s massive breakout could very well be Riley Pettijohn.
Pettijohn was part of a great one-two punch at linebacker in the 2025 recruiting class. As a first-year linebacker last year, Pettijohn only earned 50 snaps between the defense and special teams. However, in those 50 snaps, he amassed nine tackles, one tackle for loss, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, and a defensive touchdown. Most of that production came in the second half against Grambling State, but as a first-year player, it was impressive no matter the opponent.
This year, it looks like Pettijohn, Pierce, and Alliegro are going to be atop the depth chart. Each has his own strength, but if you’re looking for an Arvell Reese-type of “where did he come from?” breakout, Pettijohn is your man.
“Not Freshman Devin No More”
Ohio State has plenty of guys on defense with high expectations from their recruiting days. However, the best of them could be Devin Sanchez, the second-year corner. He earned plenty of playing time last year, and now, he’s expected to be CB1 for the Buckeyes this year.
As a first-year, Sanchez immediately earned high-leverage snaps. In Week 1 against Texas, Sanchez was on the field for 11 snaps, high praise for a first-year. By the end of the year, he played the third-most snaps of any corner with 321. His first start came in the win over Illinois, where he logged a season-high 66 snaps, playing all but one. Then, in the College Football Playoff, after only playing 13 snaps against Michigan and Indiana, Sanchez was trusted with 43 defensive snaps.
When asked about his growth last year, Sanchez reflected on how much better he was against Miami than he was against Illinois. He was second-guessing himself and made plenty of freshman mistakes against Illinois. Against Miami, he was playing confidently for the Ohio State defense. He recognized that there’s a thin margin for error, and there was no room for freshman mistakes.
Sanchez believes he can take home the Thorpe Award this year. If he can play to his billing and continue his development, it’s more than possible. “It was on me a lot to produce, and I feel like I failed myself by not producing,” Sanchez said.
“This year, it’s just taking that next step and realizing what I could’ve done last year. After that Miami game, I realized that if I had just done that all season, it could’ve been a whole different outcome. We went into the offseason, and I told (cornerbacks coach Tim Walton) I’m not stepping back this year, I’m coming in with my foot on the gas. It doesn’t matter who’s in front of me, I’m gonna win.”
A (Former) DAWG
The second corner who could breakout this year is lesser known to Buckeye fans. However, when he left Georgia this offseason, it was met with a strong online response. When a fanbase laments losing a player the way DawgNation did, you know there might be something there. However, he will have to beat out/force Patricia to kick Mathews inside.
As a first-year player for Georgia, Dominick Kelly was on the field for 107 defensive and special teams snaps. In total, he recorded three tackles and three pass breakups. He transferred to Ohio State, took part in spring workouts, and turned heads. ElevenWarriors noted Kelly as a spring standout alongside Sanchez in the cornerback room, going so far as to describe him as the “surprise star.” Reportedly, he has earned a spot as the number-three corner in the rotation, similar to Sanchez’s role from last year. He was lockdown in coverage on the outside and was routinely winning one-on-ones.
If Ohio State wants to maximize how good its cornerback room could be, it may be best to make sure Sanchez, Kelly, and Mathews are on the field at the same time. There are some seriously talented first-year corners in the room, as well, so if Kelly can keep the likes of Jay Timmons and Jordan Thomas at bay, it’ll show he’s going to be good this year.
A Thumping Safety
Sticking with the secondary, the safety room is experiencing some turnover. Caleb Downs and Lorenzo Styles Jr. are off to the NFL, and four Ohio State defense depth pieces hit the portal. While one spot is claimed by McClain, who will replace Downs and Styles? The common response is that incoming transfers Terry Moore and Earl Little Jr. will do so, but what if a first-year player is just too good?
It’s difficult for a first-year player to stand out as a safety. The position is such a weird combination of athleticism and high-end cognitive function, so it takes a truly special player to take hold as Downs did with Alabama. Blaine Bradford could carve out a niche role this year. As a recruit, Ohio State nabbed him from Louisiana as one of the bigger recruiting wins of the 2026 cycle.
If Ohio State wants a downhill, run-stopping, tone-setting safety, Bradford could be the answer. The six-foot-one, 201-pound safety hits like a linebacker. He has the speed and athleticism to track crossing receivers, and he can cover tight ends or running backs coming out of the backfield. However, if Patricia needs a box safety to take away a strong run game, Bradford could be the guy to step right up.
Rushmen Next Man Up
Finally, let’s talk pass rushers. The EDGE room is a muddy mess right now in a good way. Jackson leads the way, but who will start opposite him? There’s Beau Atkinson and Qua Russaw, two players who have flashed in their own right. Khary Wilder could be a wild card, but what about Zion Grady? According to Larry Johnson, he is “gonna factor in” for the Buckeyes this year.
As a first-year player, he earned 104 defensive snaps in 10 games. In that time, he totaled 13 tackles, two tackles for loss, and a sack. This offseason, Grady has reportedly taken his conditioning seriously and has really begun to fill out his frame. He ran with the second-team defensive ends in the spring game, but he flashed. Ohio State wants to trust six defensive ends this year (Jackson, Atkinson, Grady, Russaw, Wilder, and Epi Sitanilei), so Grady will have his opportunity to shine.
In the high-leverage games against Indiana and Miami, Grady was trusted with three snaps each on the Ohio State defense. While it may not seem like much, that’s a first-year player playing in close games with both the Big Ten and CFP on the line.
Plus, he switched his jersey from 15 to nine, so aura has to account for something, right?
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