The Ohio State Buckeyes' defensive end competition is heating up, with several players making their case for starting roles. While Kenyatta Jackson Jr. looks poised to take the next step and become a dominant force, the depth chart beyond him remains uncertain. Beau Atkinson and Qua Russaw both had strong springs, with Atkinson showing promise as a pass rusher and Russaw demonstrating versatility and power. However, the question remains: will someone other than Jackson emerge as a consistent pass-rusher? Additionally, the number of defensive ends who will play regularly is yet to be determined, with a deep rotation possible but not guaranteed. The projected depth chart includes Jackson, Zion Grady, Khary Wilder, Darryus McKinley, Atkinson, Russaw, Epi Sitanilei, and Dre Quinn. With Jackson's potential to become a consistently disruptive force, the Buckeyes should not struggle at defensive end this season. However, for them to be elite, a lot needs to fall into place, particularly in terms of an effective outside pass rush. In my opinion, the future of Ohio State's defense rests on the shoulders of these young players, and I'm excited to see how they develop in the coming months.
