Tale of the Tape: Knowing the basics of Buckeyes defensive tackles
The summer offseason is in full swing, and Lettermen Row is trying to survive it with our annual Position Week breakdowns. By the time all nine units and coaching staff at Ohio State have been covered, training camp and media days will nearly have arrived, and the return of football in the Horseshoe will be just around the corner. We’re continuing with our sixth positional week — and first on the defensive side — with a unit primed for a breakout season: the Buckeyes defensive line.
COLUMBUS — Ohio State has the talent on hand to dominate in the trenches.
The Buckeyes return three defensive tackle that were part of the rotation a season ago. Two of them are drawing major NFL Draft buzz. The younger players in the room are poised to break out, and the freshmen have high expectations.
Lettermen Row is kicking off Defensive Line Week by taking a look at the basics of the defensive tackles who could see major action this fall at Ohio State. Let’s dive in.
Fifth-year defensive tackle Jaden McKenzie
Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 286 pounds
High school: Wake Forest (Wake Forest, North Carolina)
On3 Industry Ranking: Three-star Jaden McKenzie was ranked as the No. 854 overall player in the country, the No. 86 defensive tackle and the No. 37 player in the state of North Carolina in the class of 2019.
Picked Buckeyes over: McKenzie picked Ohio State over North Carolina and other top regional programs.
Stats at Ohio State: McKenzie has has 10 total tackles, one tackle for loss and a forced fumble in his career for the Buckeyes.
Fourth-year defensive tackle Ty Hamilton
Height: 6-foot-3
Weight: 295 pounds
High school: Pickerington Central (Pickerington, Ohio)
On3 Industry Ranking: Three-star Ty Hamilton was ranked as the No. 749 overall player in the country, the No. 56 defensive tackle and the No. 24 player in the state of Ohio in the class of 2020.
Picked Buckeyes over: Hamilton picked Ohio State over Penn State and Michigan.
Stats at Ohio State: Hamilton has 28 total tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks, as well as two pass breakups and a fumble recovery in his career for the Buckeyes.
Third-year defensive tackle Tyleik Williams
Height: 6-foot-3
Weight: 320 pounds
High school: Unity Reed (Manassas, Virginia)
On3 Industry Ranking: Four-star Tyleik Williams was ranked as the No. 156 overall player in the country, the No. 20 defensive tackle and the No. 6 player in the state of Virginia in the class of 2021.
Picked Buckeyes over: Williams picked Ohio State over Alabama, North Carolina, LSU, South Carolina and Virginia Tech.
Stats at Ohio State: Williams has 37 total tackles, nine tackles for loss and six sacks, as well as four pass breakups in his career for the Buckeyes.
Third-year defensive tackle Mike Hall
Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 285 pounds
High school: Streetsboro (Streetsboro, Ohio)
On3 Industry Ranking: Four-star Mike Hall was ranked as the No. 61 overall player in the country, the No. 8 defensive tackle and the No. 2 player in the state of Ohio in the class of 2021.
Picked Buckeyes over: Hall picked Ohio State over most of the top programs around the country.
Stats at Ohio State: Hall has 21 total tackles, eight tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks, as well as a fumble recovery in his career for the Buckeyes.
Third-year defensive tackle Tywone Malone
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 315 pounds
High school: Bergen Catholic (Jamesburg, New Jersey)
On3 Industry Ranking: Four-star Tywone Malone was ranked as the No. 86 overall player in the country, the No. 11 defensive tackle and the No. 1 player in the state of New Jersey in the class of 2021.
Picked Buckeyes over: Malone committed to Ohio State after originally committing to play at Ole Miss in the class of 2021.
Stats at Ohio State: Malone has no stats at Ohio State but played in games sparingly for the Rebels in his first two years in college football.
Second-year defensive tackle Hero Kanu
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 305 pounds
High school: Santa Margarita Catholic (Rancho Santa Margarita, California)
On3 Industry Ranking: Four-star Hero Kanu was ranked as the No. 121 overall player in the country, the No. 15 defensive tackle and the No. 9 player in the state of California in the class of 2022.
Picked Buckeyes over: Kanu committed to Ohio State over Oklahoma and Georgia, among others.
Stats at Ohio State: Kanu has no stats at Ohio State.
Freshman defensive tackle Will Smith Jr.
Height: 6-foot-3
Weight: 290 pounds
High school: Coffman (Dublin, Ohio)
On3 Industry Ranking: Four-star Will Smith Jr. was ranked as the No. 243 overall player in the country, the No. 30 defensive lineman and the No. 6 player in the state of Ohio in the class of 2023.
Picked Buckeyes over: Will Smith Jr. committed to Ohio State early in the 2023 recruiting cycle and became a peer recruiter for the Buckeyes.
On3 scouting snippet: Twitchy interior defender who wins with burst off the line of scrimmage and an incredibly advanced understanding of leverage and hand usage. Fantastic bend and flexibility for his size, stellar athlete. … Lacks ideal arm length to play on the edge but also lacks the frame to add substantial weight so he will be limited to a 3-technique. One of the highest floors in the country who will walk into an immediate role as a situational interior pass rusher. Ceiling is limited due to length but the athleticism and raw power could potential supersede those deficiencies.
Freshman defensive lineman Jason Moore
Height: 6-foot-3
Weight: 290 pounds
High school: DeMatha Catholic (Fort Washington, Maryland)
On3 Industry Ranking: Four-star Jason Moore was ranked as the No. 61 overall player in the country, the No. 9 defensive lineman and the No. 2 player in the state of Maryland in the class of 2023.
Picked Buckeyes over: Jason Moore committed to the Buckeyes over Notre Dame, Penn State, Maryland and Michigan.
On3 scouting snippet: Moore is one of the more physically imposing defensive prospects in the 2023 cycle. … Has the athleticism and size to play as a strong-side end or three-technique tackle at the next level. Moore uses length in order to keep chest clean consistently against the run. Shows constant pursuit to the ball carrier from the backside. Looks to be a high-motor player. Productive while facing top competition, tallying 13 sacks as a junior. Needs to refine hand usage and pass rush arsenal in order to reach his full potential. Has the frame to continue adding mass once in a college strength program.
Freshman defensive tackle Kayden McDonald
Height: 6-foot-3
Weight: 310 pounds
High school: North Gwinnett (Suwanee, Georgia)
On3 Industry Ranking: Four-star Kayden McDonald was ranked as the No. 273 overall player in the country, the No. 37 defensive lineman and the No. 24 player in the state of Georgia in the class of 2023.
Picked Buckeyes over: Kayden McDonald committed to the Buckeyes over Clemson, Oklahoma, Michigan and Florida.
