Ohio State football: First-look 2019 depth chart projections

Defense

Notable Losses: The biggest losses from last year’s Buckeye team are on the defensive line. Nick Bosa was a force on the line to start the season, being named to several watch lists. However, after his injury, he elected to leave the program early to prepare for the NFL Draft. He might have been absent for the majority of the season, but his presence off the edge will be missed. Defensive tackle Dre’mont Jones is also departing. The junior also saw his name on several watch lists and was second on the team in sacks with 8.5.

DE: Chase Young, junior | Tyreke Smith, sophomore

DE: Jonathon Cooper, senior | Jashon Cornell, senior

DT: Haskell Garrett, junior | Antwuan Jackson, junior

DT: Robert Landers, senior | Davon Hamilton, senior 

All four projected starters on the line bring plenty of upper-class experience to the table for a defense needed new faces to step up. Young led the team in sacks last year with 9.5 and is arguably one of the best rushers returning in the conference. Jackson and Hamilton were both redshirted last year, giving them more time to prepare to take over. Cooper has played in 20 games in his career, despite the NFL talent around him, and chose to stay. His return proves a much-needed boost.

OLB: Malik Harrison, senior | Keandre Jones, senior

MLB: Tuf Borland, junior | Baron Browning, junior

OLB: Pete Werner, junior | Justin Hilliard, senior

This group essentially returns all three starters. The only significant loss is Dante Booker, even though he only played in six games due to injury. Harrison tied for first on the team in tackles with 81 while Borland and Werner finished right behind him with 67 and 58 respectively. This trio is arguably one of the most dangerous in the Big Ten and possibly the nation for 2019.

CB: Damon Arnette, senior | Jeffrey Okudah, junior

CB: Marcus Williamson, junior | Alex Badine, senior

FS: Shaun Wade, sophomore | Brendon White, junior 

SS: Jordan Fuller, senior | Amir Riep, junior

Kendall Sheffield is the biggest loss of this group, but several starters return. Fuller is the standout player of this bunch. The incoming senior is fresh off of an 81-tackle season, which tied for first with Harrison. Wade is one of the better safeties in the Big Ten and led the defense in interceptions last year with three. Williamson may take a bit to catch on as a potential starter, but the secondary will be formidable again for the Buckeyes in 2019.

Special Teams

KR: Demario McCall, junior

PR: K.J. Hill, senior

K: Blake Haubeil, junior

P: Drue Chrisman, junior

The only loss here is starting kicker Sean Nuernberger. Fortunately, Haubeil appears ready to take over after nailing ten field goals and 37 extra points in 2018. McCall will certainly be fighting for reps in the backfield, but more than likely will see more action in the return game yet again this season. While Hill might be projected to return punts yet again, his role there could be limited based on his need in the passing game more in 2019.