Behind linebacker, the Ohio State safety room lost the most this offseason and will have some incredibly large shoes to fill. This year, the Ohio State Fall camp may give a good look at who will step up on the back end of the secondary. After two years of elite safety play, this unit is facing as many questions as any on the roster. However, there are plenty of reasons to be optimistic, especially when you remember what Matt Patricia was able to do after even more turnover a year ago.
2026 Ohio State Fall Camp Primer: The Safeties
What Was Lost
After 30 games, the Caleb Downs era at Ohio State came to an end. He was one of, if not the top defender, in each of his three seasons in college, so replacing him is going to be the biggest task for Patricia and the defensive staff. He was as sure a tackler as you’d find, and there was a reason they gave him the Lott IMPACT Trophy and Thorpe Award.
Perhaps as impactful as losing Downs, the Buckeyes lost four safeties to the portal. Keenan Nelson Jr. was a depth piece, and Cody Hadaad was a first-year player, so there weren’t as many expectations there. However, Malik Hartford and Faheem Delane were expected to see a massive increase in playing time this year.
As a first-year safety, Delane logged 81 snaps, fourth-most among safeties (third-most if you consider Lorenzo Styles Jr. a nickel). He’s off to LSU. Hartford only managed 38 snaps and didn’t appear in any of the final 11 games. However, in his first season with the Buckeyes in 2024, he logged 94 defensive snaps and was a regular member of the special teams. He transferred to UCLA.
The New Guys
After losing two safeties to the draft and four to the portal, the Buckeyes brought in a few guys they thought could step right in and fill the void. Starting with the portal, Earl Little Jr. and Terry Moore transferred in from Florida State and Duke, respectively.
There will be plenty of competition, but the expectations heading into Ohio State Fall Camp are that Moore will step in at free safety, while Little will take over Nickel duties. Moore was a solid safety for Duke in 2023 and 2024, totalling 114 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, four interceptions, eight pass breakups, and two forced fumbles. He didn’t play in 2025, however, due to injury.
Little began his career at Alabama, and after two years, he spent two at Florida State. He broke out in 2025 with 76 tackles, two tackles for loss, four interceptions, two pass breakups, and two forced fumbles.
To counteract the four lost transfers, Ohio State brought in four 2026 recruits at the position. Blaine Bradford, a four-star recruit and the 13th-best safety in the class, leads the way with Khmari Bing (four-star, 18th-best) right behind. Simeon Caldwell (four-star, 16th-best) and Kaden Gebhardt (four-star, 28th-best) round out the group.
There is no shortage of bodies, but when it comes to what they’ve done in the scarlet and gray, it’s going to be interesting.
A Position of Strength?
Heading into 2026, there are plenty of questions surrounding the safety position. First off, what must Jaylen McClain do to earn a little hype? He’s one of the few returning starters on the nation’s top defense, and he got to learn from and play next to one of the greatest Buckeye defenders to play the game.
Somehow, he’s flying under the radar. Last year, McClain amassed 53 tackles and three pass breakups. He’s a sure tackler with a 6.8% missed-tackle rate and is great in coverage, even if he doesn’t have an interception to his name.
McClain can come up in support, but if he’s allowed to be a center field-type of safety, it can allow Moore to come down and be a solid box safety. The Duke transfer is good in coverage, but McClain’s speed and nose for the ball are a real treat.
Alongside those two, Little can come in as the nickel safety and provide veteran leadership, just as Styles did.
Setting Up For The Future
Of course, there is a good possibility that Ohio State will have to reload after Moore, Little, and McClain head to the NFL after this year. As a result, rotation and playing time for the younger guys will have to be prioritized. With as tough a schedule as the Buckeyes have this year, getting the second-teamers in there may be few and far between. Even then, if Patricia wants to set himself and the Buckeyes up for the future, he’s going to need to get the next wave snaps.
The two elder statesmen of the depth, Inky Jones (fifth-year, former walk-on) and Leroy Roker III (third-year), have stepped into leadership roles. While Jones is in his final year of eligibility, he will likely provide some depth. Roker has been a dark horse to push for playing time, of course.
Second-year Deshawn Stewart was a four-star recruit and was one of the top players from New Jersey. He heads into 2026 without any snaps to his name, but he is an under-discussed option who could step in.
Finally, that haul of four four-star first-year safeties could prove to be massive. Each looks like he can step in if needed. Most of the hype is behind Bradford, fittingly. The Buckeyes plucked him right out of LSU’s backyard and could be an incredible downhill safety. He is a thumper who is more than willing to come down in run defense. If there is a first-year safety to make an impact, it’ll be Bradford.
Reloading at Safety
The ability for the Buckeyes to reload at safety will be key to how the secondary responds against the litany of top-tier quarterbacks and receivers on the schedule.
This year’s group may be more than up to the task. McClain and Moore could be a formidable duo on the back end with Little manning the Nickel. Replacing Downs is a Herculean task, but it must be done.
If there are any kinds to be ironed out, it’s nice that there is a Week 1 matchup against Ball State, rather than being thrown to the wolves like last year.
This unit’s health, along with the offensive line, will be key for this year and beyond. There are obvious leaders at the top, but everything could look different in six months.
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