Ohio State Football Two-Deep Depth Chart Projections for 2023

As C.J. Stroud and most of the offensive line depart for the NFL, here are our projections on who the starters and second-stringers will be for the Ohio State Buckeyes next season.

Author:
Buckeyes Now Staff
Feb 9, 2023 6:20 PM EST

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This should be known as the "Year of the Redshirt" for the Ohio State offense, as redshirt sophomores, juniors and seniors make up 16 of the 22 players in this two-deep depth chart.

Wide receivers Marvin Harrison Jr. and Julian Fleming return following big numbers last season, and should take on leadership roles in what is otherwise a very young position room.

The competition for starting quarterback is also in full swing between the veteran, junior Kyle McCord, and the newbie, redshirt freshman Devin Brown. Quarterbacks coach Corey Dennis said there is a "blank slate" in terms of who will take the opening snap on Sept. 2 against the Indiana Hoosiers.

The final group to highlight is the offensive line, who will have big holes to fill with center Luke Wypler and offensive tackles Dawand Jones and Paris Johnson Jr. declaring for the 2023 NFL Draft. The Buckeyes will look both to their existing depth and their new additions (freshman commits and transfer portal signees) to supplement these losses.

Here is a projection of the 2023 Ohio State offense:

Quarterback - Kyle McCord (junior), Devin Brown (redshirt freshman)

Wide Receiver (X) - Marvin Harrison Jr. (redshirt sophomore), Jayden Ballard (redshirt sophomore)

Wide Receiver (Z) - Julian Fleming (senior), Brandon Inniss (freshman)

Wide Receiver (Y) - Emeka Egbuka (redshirt sophomore), Xavier Johnson (graduate)

Running Back - TreVeyon Henderson (redshirt sophomore), Miyan Williams (redshirt junior)

Tight End - Cade Stover (redshirt senior), Gee Scott Jr. (senior)

Center - Jakub James (redshirt junior), Victor Cutler (redshirt junior)

Left Guard - Donovan Jackson (redshirt sophomore), Enokk Vimahi (redshirt senior)

Right Guard - Matthew Jones (graduate), Carson Hinzman (redshirt freshman)

Left Tackle - Zen Michalski (redshirt sophomore), Tegra Tshabola (redshirt freshman)

Right Tackle - Josh Fryar (redshirt junior), Ben Christman (redshirt sophomore)

In contrast to the offense, there are few unfamiliar faces on the Silver Bullets' defense. The unit returns six starters from a season ago, but don't be alarmed Buckeye Nation.

Those that will look to take that leap and step into starting roles for defensive coordinator Jim Knowles' 4-2-5 system have played big-time college football before, so the Buckeyes' defense will look to build on its standard it set in 2022 allowing 21 points per game and 303.9 yards per game.

Here is the projected Ohio State defense for 2023:

RDE: Jack Sawyer, Caden Curry

DT: Michael Hall Jr., Tyleik Williams

DT: Ty Hamilton, Hero Kanu

LDE: J.T. Tuimoloau, Kenyatta Jackson

LB: Tommy Eichenberg, Cody Simon

LB: Steele Chambers, C.J. Hicks

SAF: Lathan Ransom, Cameron Martinez

SAF: Sonny Styles, Josh Proctor

SAF: Ja’Had Carter, Kye Stokes

RCB: Denzel Burke, Davison Igbinosun

LCB: Jyaire Brown, Jermaine Mathews Jr.