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Ohio State Football: Way-too-early 2-deep depth chart projection for 2020

By Will Koger

LINCOLN, NE - SEPTEMBER 28: Head coach Ryan Day of the Ohio State Buckeyes waits with his team to take the field before the game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium on September 28, 2019 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images)
LINCOLN, NE - SEPTEMBER 28: Head coach Ryan Day of the Ohio State Buckeyes waits with his team to take the field before the game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium on September 28, 2019 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images) /
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GLENDALE, ARIZONA – DECEMBER 28: Trevor Lawrence #16 of the Clemson Tigers is wrapped up by Zach Harrison #33 of the Ohio State Buckeyes in the first half during the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium on December 28, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA – DECEMBER 28: Trevor Lawrence #16 of the Clemson Tigers is wrapped up by Zach Harrison #33 of the Ohio State Buckeyes in the first half during the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium on December 28, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /

Defensive Line

Right end: Zach Harrison
Backup: Tyler Friday

Left end: Tyreke Smith
Backup: Jonathon Cooper

With Chase Young moving on to the NFL, players like Zach Harrison, Tyreke Smith and Tyler Friday must step up in a big way to answer another huge question for Ohio State. Jonathan Cooper will bring a veteran presence after redshirting in 2019. These four should all see significant playing time along with redshirt sophomore Javonte Jean-Baptiste.

Unlike past years, there doesn’t appear to be a freshman edge rusher ready to contribute immediately, so the Buckeyes will really have to lean on the experienced players to take their game to the next level.

Nose tackle: Tommy Togiai
Backup: Jerron Cage

Defensive tackle: Haskell Garrett
Backup: Taron Vincent

Tommy Togiai and Haskell Garrett were consistently in the rotation at tackle last season, but after losing four seniors, they will have to headline the interior line. Taron Vincent dealt with injuries in 2019, but was the No. 1 defensive tackle in the 2018 class and could overtake a starting spot here at some point. Jerron Cage is a former four-star who will see an increased role.

Watch for four-star freshmen Jacolbe Cowan and Darrion Henry to get some reps, as the Buckeyes had six tackles with at least 200 snaps played last year, according to Dan Hope of Eleven Warriors.

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