COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ryan Day wants to see Ohio State’s depth at defensive tackle grow and thanks to a key absence he’ll get a chance to see his wish come true.
The Buckeyes’ availability features a short list of names but one of them is still prominent with Tyleik Williams being one of three people listed as out. His absence on Saturday could end up meaning everything and nothing at the same time.
It’s nothing as long as it’s a one-week loss and he’s back no later than next week when OSU heads to East Lansing for its Big Ten opener and first road game. It’s everything because it opens a chance for Day and defensive line coach Larry Johnson to see something the former has called for publicly twice in the past month.
“We’re really looking for the next couple of guys to step up into that role,” Day said. “I think Larry would tell you the same thing. There’s a bunch of candidates but that’s some that whole room is really pushing towards in getting those guys to step up.”
Ohio State entered the year with Williams and Ty Hamilton being established commodities and one of the Big Ten’s best defensive tackle duos. But you can’t get through a sean with just two interior defensive linemen and think you’ll have long-term success. Even Williams knows that which is why he called for guys to emerge in the spring.
“We’ve gotta be leaders,” Williams said. “We’ve gotta have them play this year. We can’t just play all the snaps. They gotta get in there and get some work. We’ve gotta get them right in the offseason so they can play. And not just play, contribute.”
Williams played 645 snaps last season which was fourth among defensive players. Hamilton played 350 which was 14th. Even Michal Hall Jr. — a second-round pick to the Cleveland Browns — had a heavy snap load when he was healthy with 412 in 12 games. No one else even played 100.
Williams has already played 70 snaps and Hamilton 62 through two games. Hall is gone now, putting more emphasis on other guys to perform.
Defensive coordinator Jim Knowles was high on Kayden McDonald all offseason and through two games he’s shown why. Hero Kanu has flashed as well. One of those two should get their first start today, but both can use this game to build on strong starts and solidify a two-deep as a defensive tackle.
But both Day and Johnson want six in a perfect world and the names to make that happen already exist. They just need to seize the moment.
Tywone Malone is in his second season playing football full-time as a former top 100 recruit who played both football and baseball at Ole Miss. Jason Moore has looked at the since he got here in June 2023, but right now is just an idea.
Both could have extended opportunities to flash against Marshall should this game playout similarly to Ohio State’s first two games of the season here it was also highly favored against Group of Five teams.
As was the case with Cody Simon when he missed the season opener, Donovan Jackson missing the first two games and even Denzel Burke being ejected in the first half against Western Michigan, Williams’ absence can have a silver lining.
It can be nothing more than a chance to show off the depth being built behind the scenes in a game where losing isn’t a realistic possibility which can only aid the mission toward accomplishing the bigger goal.
It worked out nicely the first three times. When the ball kicks off at noon, the Buckeyes can make it four-fo-four at a spot that already relies on depth to be elite.
“There’s some names in there of guys that we think can do it,” Day said. “That’s the challenge. This is all positions but we’re looking for guys to step up in that room.”
