Logan George named Ohio State's player to watch in 2025

The Ohio State defense ruled the 2024 college football season, boasting an NCAA best 12.9 allowed points per game and 254.6 yards per game. The Buckeyes rode their fiery defense to a 14-2 record and their ninth National Championship in program history.

Two of the key defensive leaders from that team, JT Tuimoloau and Jack Sawyer, however have moved on from the program. This leaves major holes on the Buckeye defense, heading into their first season with former NFL head coach Matt Patricia at defensive coordinator.

College football analyst David Pollack picked EDGE rusher Logan George, who transferred from Idaho State, to fill one of those roles as his player to watch for the Buckeyes this season on his “See Ball Get Ball with David Pollack” podcast.

“If you watched Ohio State last year, you saw a lot of JT [Tuimoloau] and Jack Sawyer. Now those guys are gone,” Pollack said. “Those guys are gone and who I think is gonna be the edge player, in doing a little bit of research, there’s an Idaho State transfer Logan George that I’m interested to watch. He’s played a lot of football. Coach [Ryan] Day likes strong hands, physicality, and guys that are tough to block. Can he dominate the line of scrimmage?”

George looks to fill shoes of Tuimoloau and Sawyer

“That’s what Sawyer was. That’s what JTT was. Strong at the point of attack. They weren’t a minus at pass rush but they weren’t a plus every time. If you can get that and Logan can start to develop as a pass rusher as the year goes along with the experience, I’m on the defensive line.”

George, who is a native of Pocatello, ID, spent two seasons at Idaho State. He recorded 77 total tackles, six sacks and a pass deflection for a Bengal program that is 8-15 since the start of the 2023 season. He’ll now look to take his game to the next level at Ohio State, which has had 24 players selected in the NFL Draft since Day took over in 2019.

“I’m excited to compete, mostly,” George said back in March. “Every day I practice, you know, you get to go against the best guys, and as a byproduct, you get better. So that’s pretty cool.”

“I did the best I could to learn from Jack [Sawyer] and JT [Tuimoloau], just to see how they practiced and what they did. I was able to ask them for pointers. Good to get ahead.”

Ohio State opens the 2025 season at home, hosting Texas on August 30.