Five Breakout Buckeye Defenders for 2026

Who could be Ohio State’s next breakout stars on defense? | The Buckeye Weekly PodcastTony 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 — Intro00:22 — What qualifies as a breakout defender?00:51 — A new safety stepping into a major role02:05 — Why the back end of the defense has room for a new star03:16 — A transfer defensive tackle with big upside04:25 — Why Ohio State’s interior defensive line could be dangerous05:16 — A young cornerback ready to take the next step06:39 — Why year two could be different for a talented corner07:49 — A transfer defensive back with major impact potential08:49 — How the nickel role could create big plays09:42 — A veteran defensive end to remember10:37 — Final thoughts and listener picksWhich Ohio State defender do you think is most likely to break out this season? Drop your pick in the comments.Subscribe to Buckeye Weekly for daily Ohio State football talk, recruiting coverage, analysis, and more.OhioStateFootball #Buckeyes #BuckeyeWeekly #CollegeFootball #OhioState