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Ohio State Football: Projected 2-deep depth chart for 2017

By Connor Muldowney

GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 31: Damon Webb
GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 31: Damon Webb /
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GLENDALE, AZ – JANUARY 01: Defensive lineman Tyquan Lewis #59 of the Ohio State Buckeyes (left) celebrates a fourth quarter sack with defensive lineman Tracy Sprinkle #93 (right) during the fourth quarter of the BattleFrog Fiesta Bowl against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 1, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ – JANUARY 01: Defensive lineman Tyquan Lewis #59 of the Ohio State Buckeyes (left) celebrates a fourth quarter sack with defensive lineman Tracy Sprinkle #93 (right) during the fourth quarter of the BattleFrog Fiesta Bowl against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 1, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images) /

Defensive Line

Starting ends: Tyquan Lewis, Sam Hubbard
Backups: Nick Bosa, Jalyn Holmes

The Buckeyes play more of a classing 4-3 look and they are absolutely loaded up front. In fact, defensive end might be the strongest group on the team. Tyquan Lewis is returning for his senior year after posting 10.5 tackles for loss and eight sacks in 2016. On the other side of the line is Sam Hubbard who had 46 total tackles, 8.5 for loss and 3.5 sacks. Just dominating up front.

While the starters are likely to get All-Big Ten recognition by season’s end, the backups are more than capable. Nick Bosa might be one of the best defensive ends in the country by the end of the year. The sophomore, and younger brother of All-American Joey Bosa, had seven tackles for loss and five sacks as a true freshman. Jalyn Holmes had nine tackles for loss and two sacks.

Starting tackles: Tracy Sprinkle, Dre’Mont Jones
Backups: Robert Landers, Michael Hill

Can the interior defensive linemen challenge the ends for line supremacy in 2017? Senior Tracy Sprinkle and sophomore Dre’Mont Jones will likely lead the way. The former is back from an injury that caused him to miss the entire 2016 season, so he’ll be hungry to get back to 2015 form. Jones was a freshman sensation, finishing with 51 tackles and four for loss.

Robert Landers was also a freshman last season, finishing with eight tackles for loss and a sack in rotational play. Michael hill is the other senior who happens to have some starting experience as well. He can be plugged in as a starter, if need be. He finished with 21 total tackles and 3.5 for loss last season.

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