After starting the season 5-0, including last week’s dominating win over Minnesota, Ohio State hits the road for the second time this season inside the Big Ten to take on a ranked Illinois team that is going to unload everything it can to pull off the huge upset inside Memorial Stadium Saturday.
Football is one of the most physical sports out there, and because of the risk of injury and the development and emergence of players during the season, a team’s depth chart can change on a weekly basis. That’s why, here at Buckeyes Wire, we like to project the depth chart for OSU ahead of each matchup and are going to do our best to figure it out ahead of kickoff in Champaign.
Here’s a look at the projected and predicted two-deep depth chart for Ohio State on both sides of the ball against Illinois.
Quarterback
Starter | Julian Sayin
Backup | Lincoln Kienholz
Sayin has continued to look better and better. He leads the nation in completion percentage, and the coaching staff continues to allow him to do more and more through the air. We may see Lincoln Kienholz in some short-yardage and goal-to-go situations.
Running Back
Starter | Bo Jackson
Backup | CJ Donaldson
This depth chart has changed drastically since the opening game against Texas. With the emergence of Bo Jackson, he now seems like the clear starter, and CJ Donaldson seems to be more trusted at this point than James Peoples.
Wide Receiver (X)
Starter | Jeremiah Smith
Backup | Bryson Rodgers
Wide Receiver (Z)
Starter | Carnell Tate
Backup | Mylan Graham
Wide Receiver (Slot)
Starter | Brandon Inniss
Backup | Quincy Porter
This rotation seems pretty set and looks the same as when we saw Ohio State open the season. All are talented and all will be productive given the chance.
Tight End
Starter | Max Klare
Backup | Will Kacmarek
Klare seems to be emerging as a bigger threat in the passing game, while Kacmarek’s blocking is one of the best in the country. This unit is deep, but these two have a clear separation.
Center
Starter | Carson Hinzman
Backup | Joshua Padilla
Left Guard
Starter | Luke Montgomery
Backup | Jake Cook
Right Guard
Starter | Tegra Tshabola
Backup | Gabe VanSickle
Left Tackle
Starter | Austin Siereveld
Backup | Ethan Onianwa
Right Tackle
Starter | Phillip Daniels
Backup | Ian Moore
This unit has been fantastic and deep, but it does appear as though the starting five is the starting five, with the backups pretty well defined as well. It’s good to be able to rotate guys in if needed and not have much of a drop off.
Defensive End
Starter | Kenyatta Jackson Jr.
Backup | Beaux Atkinson
Defensive End
Starter | Caden Curry
Backup | C.J. Hicks
Defensive Tackle (3-technique)
Starter | Eddrick Houston
Backup | Tywone Malone Jr.
Defensive Tackle (Nose)
Starter | Kayden McDonald
Backup | Will Smith Jr.
McDonald and Houston are real difference makers, though Houston does seem to be struggling on and off with a lower-limb injury. Smith and Malone add quality depth and keep things fresh, rotating in.
Linebacker (Mike)
Starter | Sonny Styles
Backup | Payton Pierce
Linebacker (Will)
Starter | Arvell Reese
Backup | Riley Pettijohn
Is this the best linebacking corps in the game? It’s hard to argue against Styles and Reese being the best tandem in the game. Their ability to diagnose and run to the ball allows defensive coordinator Matt Patricia to do a lot up front and in the back end.
Cornerback
Starter | Davison Igbinosun
Backup | Aaron Scott Jr.
Cornerback
Starter | Jermaine Matthews Jr.
Backup | Devin Sanchez
Nickelback
Starter | Lorenzo Styles Jr.
Backup | Bryce West
Safety (Free)
Starter | Caleb Downs
Backup | Leroy Roker III
Safety (Strong)
Starter | Jaylen McClain
Backup | Malik Hartford
This is one of the best secondaries in the country, and what we saw in fall camp pretty much continued into the season. The biggest change has been McClain cementing himself as the top option at strong safety.
Kicker
Starter | Jayden Fielding
Backup | Jackson Courville
Punter
Starter | Joe McGuire
Backup | Nick McLarty
No surprises here. We knew this would be the case heading into the season, and there hasn’t been any reason to change things up.
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This article originally appeared on Buckeyes Wire: Ohio State vs. Illinois: Projected depth chart for the Buckeyes
