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Ohio State Football: Way-too-early 2022 depth chart projection

By Jackson Caudell

The Ohio State Buckeyes take the field for the Rose Bowl against the Utah Utes in Pasadena, Calif. on Jan. 1, 2022.College Football Rose Bowl
The Ohio State Buckeyes take the field for the Rose Bowl against the Utah Utes in Pasadena, Calif. on Jan. 1, 2022.College Football Rose Bowl /
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Jan 1, 2022; Pasadena, California, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Steele Chambers (22) stops Utah Utes wide receiver Britain Covey (18) after a short gain during the third quarter of the 2022 Rose Bowl at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2022; Pasadena, California, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Steele Chambers (22) stops Utah Utes wide receiver Britain Covey (18) after a short gain during the third quarter of the 2022 Rose Bowl at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports /

Linebacker

Starting Will linebacker: Steele Chambers
Backup: C.J. Hicks

Starting Mike linebacker: Tommy Eichenberg
Backup: Cody Simon

This was the weakest position on the Buckeyes defense in 2021. Oregon and Michigan were able to run the ball on Ohio State due to the team’s poor linebacker play. One thing that should be for certain is that Ohio State will only utilize two linebacker positions, as that is what Knowles likes to do on his defense.

Steele Chambers was probably Ohio State’s best linebacker last season and should be able to retain a starting spot. He is athletic and could be much improved with good coaching in 2022. The starting middle linebacker is still probably going to Tommy Eichenberg who had an up and down season in 2021 and is going to have to play much better if he wants to remain the starting middle linebacker at Ohio State.

One guy to keep an eye on this season is C.J. Hicks who was the No. 1 linebacker coming out of high school for this recruiting class and he might get on the field for the Buckeyes. He is super talented at a position of need on Ohio State.

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