Five Breakout Buckeye Defenders for 2026

Who could be Ohio State’s next breakout stars on defense? | The Buckeye Weekly Podcast

Tony Gerdeman and Tom Orr discuss five Buckeye defenders who could take a major step forward this season, including new starters, transfer additions, and returning veterans with All-Big Ten or even All-American potential.

The conversation covers the next wave in the secondary, a pair of intriguing transfer additions, a young cornerback ready for a bigger role, and a veteran defensive end who could become one of Ohio State’s most important players up front.

00:00 — Intro
00:22 — What qualifies as a breakout defender?
00:51 — A new safety stepping into a major role
02:05 — Why the back end of the defense has room for a new star
03:16 — A transfer defensive tackle with big upside
04:25 — Why Ohio State’s interior defensive line could be dangerous
05:16 — A young cornerback ready to take the next step
06:39 — Why year two could be different for a talented corner
07:49 — A transfer defensive back with major impact potential
08:49 — How the nickel role could create big plays
09:42 — A veteran defensive end to remember
10:37 — Final thoughts and listener picks

Which Ohio State defender do you think is most likely to break out this season? Drop your pick in the comments.

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