The Ohio State Buckeyes are gearing up for another football season, and this time, the spotlight’s on the defense as spring practice heats up. With the roster shifting thanks to new freshmen, transfers, and a handful of departures, the Buckeyes have their hands full trying to lock in the lineup.
This article digs into the latest updates on Ohio State’s defensive personnel, special teams, and what key players might bring as the team looks ahead to the 2026 season. If you want a full breakdown of the defensive personnel for spring, check out the complete article here.
Defensive Personnel Changes
The offseason’s been, well, kind of wild for Ohio State. There’s a big mix of new faces and some tough goodbyes.
They’ve added 17 transfers and 26 freshmen, plus some preferred walk-ons whose numbers aren’t totally clear yet. On the flip side, five players left for the NFL and 37 transferred out after the 2025 season, which wrapped up with a Cotton Bowl loss to Miami (Fla.).
Defensive Ends
The defensive end spot’s seen more than its share of turnover. Who’s out?
- Transfers: C.J. Hicks (Central Florida), Logan George (Washington), Joshua Mickens (Connecticut), Dominic Kirks (Northwestern)
- Departed Seniors: Caden Curry
Still, there’s a core group sticking around, plus some new faces:
- Returning: Beau Atkinson (Sr.), Kenyatta Jackson Jr. (Sr.), Zion Grady (So.), Nate Riegle (So., walk-on), Epi Sitanilei (R-Fr.)
- Incoming Transfers: Qua Russaw (Jr.; Alabama transfer)
- Freshmen: Khary Wilder (Fr.), Dre Quinn (Fr.)
Special Teams and Coaching Stability
Special teams matter a lot for the Buckeyes, even if they don’t always get the headlines. Matt Patricia’s back as defensive coordinator for his second straight year.
Patricia helped lead Ohio State to the nation’s top-ranked total and scoring defense in 2025. Now, he’s got the task of replacing seven starters from last season—no small job.
Spring Practice and Upcoming Events
So far, Ohio State’s knocked out five of its 15 spring practices, with another coming up Tuesday. This Saturday is Student Appreciation Day, which lets fans check out the team’s progress in person.
The spring game’s set for April 18 at Ohio Stadium, kicking off at noon on Big Ten Network. Should be a good one, honestly.
Key Player Spotlight: Jeremiah Smith
Jeremiah Smith—yeah, that Jeremiah Smith—is still the guy everyone’s watching. He’s not just the best receiver in college football right now; some folks would argue he’s the best player, period.
He’s become a nightmare for opposing defenses and, sometimes, a bit of a recruiting headache for Ohio State with other programs always sniffing around. Smith’s path to Columbus wasn’t exactly straightforward, either.
He went to Chaminade-Madonna Prep in Florida, right in Miami’s backyard. He weighed his options, but Ohio State won out, and he’s made a splash ever since.
In just two seasons, Smith’s racked up 163 catches for 2,558 yards and 27 touchdowns. He’s already shattered a few records—no big deal.
Smith’s Impact and Future Prospects
Smith’s impact has been massive. As a freshman, he broke Cris Carter’s school records for catches and touchdown grabs, picking up Big Ten Freshman of the Year and All-American honors along the way.
His sophomore season? Even better—87 catches, another Big Ten Receiver of the Year award, and plenty of buzz.
Now, heading into his junior year, Smith’s set to be a force again. He’s had offers from other schools, but he’s sticking with Ohio State.
He wants to keep up the production, sure, but he’s also pushing to step up as a leader. The big goal? Help the Buckeyes win another national title before he (probably) heads to the 2027 NFL Draft.
Looking Ahead
Ohio State’s getting ready for the 2026 season already. There’s a mix of veterans and new faces, which should make things interesting.
The Buckeyes seem set for a strong run. Coaching stability under Matt Patricia and leadership from guys like Jeremiah Smith? That’s going to matter a lot as they try to keep that defensive edge—and maybe even push further.
Want to keep up with Buckeye news and all the latest twists? You can follow Patrick Murphy on Twitter and Instagram.
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Curious about Ohio State’s defensive lineup for spring? The full breakdown’s over at 247Sports. Might answer a few of your questions—or spark some new ones.
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