Ohio State Football: 3 questions that need answers for 2020

1. Who steps up in Chase Young’s absence?

Ohio State is not trying to replace Chase Young. That is impossible. From Joey Bosa to Nick Bosa, and then to Young, it seems that Ohio State has grown elite pass rushers from trees, each better than the last. The next one is not likely to be better than Young.

The Buckeyes cannot hope to fill the 16.5-sack void left by Young with just a single player; they must hope to develop the young talent on the line as a unit.

Players who were highly touted recruits like Zach Harrison, Tyreke Smith and Tyler Friday must step up. There won’t be much help from the incoming freshman class as there is no Bosa, Young or Harrison in this class that can play a huge role in their first year. It will be up to the second and third year linemen to get pressure off the edge as a unit.

It would be remiss not to mention veteran Jonathon Cooper — who will return in 2020 after receiving a medical redshirt — or the interior linemen. Ohio State will be young at tackle after losing seniors Hamilton, Cornell and Landers, but much like at end, there are 2019 role players waiting in the wings such as Tommy Togiai, Haskell Garrett and Taron Vincent.

There won’t be a standout player on the Ohio State defensive line for the first time since 2013, but the pieces to get consistent pressure on quarterbacks are there. Young, talented players must develop into stars for Ohio State in 2020.