After looking at which Ohio State Football offensive players are primed for a breakout, it is time to give the other side of the ball the same treatment.
There are questions on this side of the ball for the Buckeyes, but they still return major contributors like defensive end J.T. Tuimoloua, and linebackers Tommy Eichenberg and Steele Chambers.
Defensive coordinator Jim Knowles is entering his second year at the position and there should be a jump in production from players for multiple reasons, such as experience in the system. Find out which five players I believe are going to explode on the scene in 2023.
Safety (Adjuster) Ja’Had Carter
There was a good bit of buzz around Ohio State safety Ja’Had Carter today.
Carter — a former All-ACC performer who picked off three passes at Syracuse last year — showed off his ball skills here.
The word DC Jim Knowles keeps using to describe Carter?
“Coachable.” pic.twitter.com/lUYt0oSstb
— Andy Backstrom (@andybackstrom) August 3, 2023
Why
The Syracuse transfer isn’t getting much publicity, but he’s just going about his business. Carter took first-team reps during the open portion of the first fall practice, signaling that he’s healthy after the knee injury suffered during the spring and that his knowledge of the defense is enough for Knowles to trust him at the back end.
The Buckeyes had plenty of issues with their safeties last season, so bringing in the former freshman All-American was a big recruiting win. Although Carter has this designation, playing for Syracuse won’t get many eyes on you, much different than starring for the Buckeyes. Expect the fourth-year player to make a big impact this season.
Cornerback Davison Igbinosun
Re-edited some clips of Davison Igbinosun to make it easier to track for you. Here's the second half against Texas Tech. pic.twitter.com/WITex94mb7
— Tony Gerdeman (@TonyGerdeman) February 1, 2023
Why
Another transfer former freshman All-American roaming the Buckeyes secondary you say? Igbinosun left Ole Miss after his first season there and made his way to Columbus.
He is presumed as the third corner behind Denzel Burke and Jordan Hancock, but if recent history tells us a story, it’s that the Buckeyes will need depth at cornerback. Considering how poorly this unit played last year, if Igbinosun picks off just one pass, he’s breaking out.
Linebacker C.J. Hicks
Jim Knowles said he predicts CJ Hicks will break out this season and fans will see his talent unleashed. Role TBD though pic.twitter.com/HQNz9oZfWE
— Marcus Hartman (@marcushartman) May 30, 2023
Why
The former 5-star prospect played sparingly during his freshman season, but that was due to being behind the two starters, who played the majority of snaps. Now that Hicks has a season under his belt, he is undoubtedly going to see more time.
Most of his run will be at linebacker, but he has the frame and skill set to play the Jack on occasion as well (depending on how that is utilized in Knowles system this season). That time spent should equate to big-time production. The linebacker is just waiting to be unleashed and this is the season it happens.
Defensive end Kenyatta Jackson
Ryan Day said last week at Big Ten Media Days that #Buckeyes DE Kenyatta Jackson “looks like an NFL player” right now.
I’d agree.
Here he is working with J.T. Tuimoloau. pic.twitter.com/8vHfcSt9z9
— Andy Backstrom (@andybackstrom) August 3, 2023
Why
When head coach Ryan Day told the media that the defensive line was going to have a pared-down rotation, Jackson was one of the few names that was mentioned. Day doubled down later, saying that the second-year player already has the body of an NFL veteran. With just two tackles in his young career, Jackson should get enough playing time to officially break out this season. It’s not quite yet to make predictions, but I could see him getting 5-8 sacks on the year.
Sonny Styles
WE HAVE A SONNY STYLES HIT ALERT 🚨 pic.twitter.com/E9NUFq2OKn
— THE Bunch of Nuts Podcast (@bunch_nuts) September 18, 2022
Why
Like Hicks, Styles was a former 5-star prospect who is just scratching his surface. Technically, he should be arriving on campus for the first time this fall, but he reclassified to play his freshman season at the young age of 17.
Styles is the only player on this list that doesn’t have a designated position, and that’s because Knowles is going to work Styles onto the field in a variety of ways. Most likely as a safety, but with linebacker potential, the sophomore is going to line up all over the field, even at nickel. Regardless of where Styles starts, he’s going to make a ton of plays this year.
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