HORNS DOWN
Ohio State defends the Shoe, beats Texas 14-7 in the 2025 season opener.
Ohio State will have its full complement of starters in its hotly anticipated season-opener against Texas, though it will be down some depth at defensive tackle.
Backup defensive tackle Jason Moore is the most notable injury on the first status report for the No. 3 Buckeyes, who will face off with No. 1 Texas in Ohio Stadium at noon.
| OSU STATUS REPORT FOR TEXAS |
|---|
| Out |
|
CB Brenten "Inky" Jones TE Max LeBlanc DT Jason Moore QB Mason Maggs RB Anthony "Turbo" Rogers DT Maxwell Roy S Deshawn Stewart DT Ahmed Tounkara WR Preston Wolfe |
Moore, a four-star prospect ranked No. 66 overall and No. 8 among defensive linemen in the composite rankings for the recruiting class of 2023, competed this preseason to be the next three-technique defensive tackle off the bench behind starter Eddrick Houston. He also projected as the team's No. 3 nose guard behind starter Kayden McDonald and backup Will Smith Jr. He was spotted in a walking boot after an Ohio State practice two weeks ago, though the boot was off as he exited the field during the Buckeyes' most recent player media availability.
Smith, redshirt senior Tywone Malone Jr. and freshman Jarquez Carter will be the top options to relieve Houston. Ryan Day expressed confidence in the rotation on Tuesday.
"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."
Freshman running back Anthony "Turbo" Rogers, projected to be No. 4 on Ohio State's depth chart at the position behind James Peoples, CJ Donaldson and Bo Jackson, is also listed as unavailable against the Longhorns. Redshirt freshman tight end Max LeBlanc, freshman safety Deshawn Stewart and freshman defensive tackle Maxwell Roy round out the list of scholarship players out with injury. They are joined by special teams contributor and walk-on cornerback Brenten "Inky" Jones.
Ohio State and Texas kick off at noon Saturday on FOX.
