Stephen Means and Stefan Krajisnik Break Down Ohio State’s Defensive Line as It Gears Up for a Dominant 2025 Campaign
Ohio State football enters the 2025 season with sky-high expectations, and much of that optimism stems from the potential dominance of its defensive line. Evaluated closely by beat reporters Stephen Means and Stefan Krajisnik, the Buckeyes’ front is viewed as one of the strongest units in college football. After a 2024 campaign that fell just short of national championship aspirations, Ohio State’s defense is poised to be the driving force behind another run — and it starts up front.
The defensive line is typically the heartbeat of any championship-caliber defense, and the Buckeyes have quietly stockpiled a terrifying rotation of edge rushers and interior disruptors over the last few recruiting cycles. As Means and Krajisnik have both pointed out in their evaluations, the 2025 unit doesn’t just look good on paper — it’s stacked with game-ready talent, high-upside underclassmen, and seasoned veterans eager to make their NFL case.
At the core of this defensive resurgence is head coach Ryan Day’s commitment to fortifying the trenches. While Day is known for explosive offenses and elite quarterback development, his coaching staff has steadily worked to build a balanced team. Much of that effort has been focused on the defensive line, with Larry Johnson still guiding the unit as the position coach. Despite whispers about his future, Johnson returns to Columbus with a talented group that could be his best in recent years.
On the edge, the Buckeyes have one of the most lethal duos in the country. JT Tuimoloau decided to return for a fifth year, stunning many NFL evaluators who had him projected as a Day 2 pick in 2024. His return gives the unit leadership, experience, and production — a proven edge-setter who can rush the passer and stop the run. Across from him is sophomore phenom Eddrick Houston, a five-star signee from the 2024 class who flashed greatness in limited snaps as a freshman. Now poised for a breakout season, Houston brings speed, power, and an ability to wreck backfields.
Means recently emphasized Houston’s motor and improvement during spring camp, noting how his first step and technique are beginning to catch up to his elite physical traits. According to Krajisnik, the Buckeyes plan to move Houston around more this season — not just planting him on the edge but occasionally using him in NASCAR packages and stunts inside to capitalize on mismatches.
Behind Tuimoloau and Houston is perhaps the deepest edge room in the country. Kenyatta Jackson Jr., Caden Curry, and Joshua Mickens give the Buckeyes waves of pressure without significant drop-off. Jackson in particular has come on strong and could be in line for a double-digit sack season in a rotational role. Curry is a technician who plays with a relentless motor, and Mickens — still developing — has freakish athleticism that mirrors past Buckeye greats like Chase Young.
But it’s not just the outside where Ohio State will do damage. Inside, the Buckeyes may be even more terrifying. Hero Kanu and Tyleik Williams anchor the interior, both entering the season with massive expectations. Williams flirted with the NFL after a productive 2024, but ultimately stayed for one more year to refine his game and chase a championship. Kanu, who has steadily developed under Johnson, is now viewed as a starter-level talent ready to unleash his full potential.
Both Means and Krajisnik have pointed to Kanu’s spring game performance as a turning point, where he consistently disrupted plays and drew double teams. What makes the pair so dangerous is their contrasting styles: Williams uses power and leverage to collapse pockets, while Kanu is more of a gap-shooter with quick feet and deceptive burst.
Behind them is a rotation that includes veteran Ty Hamilton, who brings experience and grit, and second-year player Kayden McDonald, who may be the most explosive young DT on the roster. McDonald’s quick-twitch athleticism makes him a potential X-factor in passing situations. The staff is also high on true freshman Justin Scott, a five-star interior lineman from Chicago who has already begun earning second-team reps. While he may not start, his presence as a rotational weapon could be invaluable.
The depth of this line gives Ohio State the luxury of staying fresh — an advantage in late-season matchups and high-tempo games. Johnson has emphasized hockey-style rotations for years, and 2025 will be no different. With at least eight players capable of starting for most teams in the country, Johnson can deploy line shifts based on down and distance, keeping legs fresh and production steady.
Another element in play is schematic evolution. Defensive coordinator Jim Knowles has tweaked his approach heading into his third season in Columbus. After two years of fine-tuning his system to Big Ten play, Knowles is expected to unleash more aggressive fronts and blitz packages, leaning heavily on the confidence he has in his defensive line. Both Means and Krajisnik noted in their spring observations that the Buckeyes spent more time in exotic looks — three-down fronts, wide-nine alignments, and heavy interior pressure sets.
This kind of versatility is only possible with a unit this deep and talented. The Buckeyes can line up in standard four-man fronts or shift into hybrid looks without compromising pressure. This allows Knowles to be creative against mobile quarterbacks and up-tempo offenses — something that plagued Ohio State in key games last season.
Leadership, too, is a strong theme heading into the fall. With veterans like Tuimoloau and Williams guiding the younger players, the room has a blend of maturity and hunger. Both players have taken on mentorship roles, setting a high bar for preparation and effort. According to Means, Tuimoloau has been especially vocal in practice, often pulling younger players aside between drills to give pointers or encouragement. This kind of cohesion is rare and often signals an elite group.
One of the biggest storylines is how this unit stacks up historically. Ohio State has produced legendary defensive lines in the past decade — from the Bosa brothers to Chase Young — and the 2025 group has a chance to etch its name alongside them. While there may not be a single transcendent star yet, the overall talent and depth may exceed those previous units. Both Means and Krajisnik agree: the strength of this year’s line lies not just in individual brilliance but in its collective capability to dominate every phase of the game.
Health, of course, will be key. The Buckeyes must avoid the injury bug that has derailed past seasons. Keeping the rotation healthy ensures maximum effectiveness come playoff time. Johnson’s rotation philosophy should help mitigate wear and tear, but the physical nature of Big Ten play always presents challenges.
Another consideration is how this unit will fare against elite offensive lines. While they should feast against early-season opponents, true tests will come against teams like Penn State, Michigan, and potential College Football Playoff foes. These matchups will determine if the Buckeyes’ defensive line is merely very good — or truly elite. Last year’s line showed flashes but lacked the consistency to take over games. This season, the expectation is dominance from whistle to whistle.
Recruiting has also been impacted by the defensive line’s emergence. Prospects are taking notice of Johnson’s ability to develop players and get them to the NFL. The 2025 and 2026 classes already include blue-chip commitments on the defensive front, and continued success this season could secure even more future stars.
Ultimately, Ohio State’s national championship hopes may hinge on this group. The offense is expected to be good but may experience growing pains with a new quarterback. That places added pressure on the defense to carry games early — and few units are more equipped to do so than the defensive line.
If everything clicks, this could be the year the Buckeyes reclaim their spot atop college football. It all starts in the trenches, and Ohio State may have built a fortress.
As Stephen Means and Stefan Krajisnik have made clear in their comprehensive analysis, this is not just hype — it’s real, tangible potential backed by talent, coaching, and hunger. The 2025 Ohio State defensive line is ready to make history.
