On Tuesday, Ryan Day spoke more confidently about Ohio State's defensive tackle situation than at any other point in the lead-up to the 2025 season.
The Buckeyes' DT depth has long been an emphasis for Day, a position group that got worked as hard as any other for the team during summer workouts. Kayden McDonald and Eddrick Houston have long been projected starters for Ohio State, but the biggest concern has been its depth pieces.
But Day expressed a newfound confidence heading into the Buckeyes' top-three showdown with No. 1 Texas, listing redshirt sophomore Will Smith Jr., redshirt senior Tywone Malone Jr. and freshman Jarquez Carter as defensive tackle options behind McDonald and Houston. He expects a rotation at the position.
"We're going to roll those guys pretty good," Day said. "I feel like we've developed some depth there. And I feel like we're going to feel good about putting different guys in the game. Between Eddrick and K-Mac and Will, Tywone Malone, even Jarquez, you're going to see guys kind of mix in and out of there."
Smith continues to be one of the top stories to follow of Ohio State's season, the Buckeye legacy who has overcome past injuries to emerge as the clear No. 2 nose guard behind McDonald. Malone and Carter are more likely factors at three-technique defensive tackle behind Houston.
Carter is making quick waves at a position where a year or two of development is typically required. The No. 198 overall prospect and No. 18 defensive lineman in the 247Sports composite, he's been mentioned by both Day and defensive line coach Larry Johnson as a fast-rising potential contributor this year. That said, it's no guarantee he sees the field this particular Saturday.
"He's got twitch," Day said of Carter. "And I think, again, whether it's in game one or down the road, these guys are going to help us. I think that's the other thing too. It's like, as you go into game one, you have a certain mindset. But then it's also a long season. And so some of these guys that are definitely going to make an impact for us this year may or may not play in game one."
One notable name omitted from Day's comments is Jason Moore, who was spotted in a walking boot following an Ohio State practice last week and could be out for Week 1. But overall, Day is entering 2025 with a defensive tackle group he has faith in.
"The good news is we have depth there, and I feel like we made progress at that position," Day said. "So now they've got to go play, and we've got to go put it on the field against a really good front."
