The Ohio State Buckeyes are primed to unveil one of the most dynamic and versatile pass-rushing units in college football for the 2025 season. As newly appointed defensive coordinator Matt Patricia begins his first full season in Columbus, he inherits a treasure trove of edge rushing talent, ranging from experienced veterans to rising young stars. What sets this group apart is not just its depth or athleticism, but its schematic flexibility—something Patricia is known for maximizing.
The Buckeyes’ 2025 defense won’t rely on just one alpha pass-rusher. Instead, it will be a relentless wave of uniquely skilled players capable of rushing the passer from various angles and formations. This embarrassment of riches gives Patricia the tools to create an unpredictable, havoc-inducing front that can adapt to any opponent. Let’s explore how Ohio State’s edge rushers will fuel that identity and enhance the Buckeyes’ chances of making a national championship run.
A New Era of Defense: Matt Patricia’s NFL-Inspired Philosophy Arrives
Matt Patricia arrives at Ohio State with an extensive NFL pedigree. A Super Bowl-winning defensive coordinator with the New England Patriots, Patricia is known for designing adaptable, opponent-specific game plans. At his best, he thrives when he has versatile chess pieces to move across the board—hybrid defenders who can line up in multiple spots and create confusion for opposing offenses.
At Ohio State, Patricia finally has a roster full of those types of players, particularly at the edge rusher position. The Buckeyes’ edge unit in 2025 is not built around one Bosa or Chase Young-style superstar (yet), but it may ultimately be more dangerous because of its depth and flexibility. Patricia will likely employ multiple fronts, disguise blitz packages, and rotate players frequently to keep passers guessing.
JT Tuimoloau’s Return Is a Game-Changer
The first pillar of Ohio State’s defensive front is the return of J.T. Tuimoloau, who opted to return for his senior season instead of entering the NFL Draft. Tuimoloau has long flashed first-round potential, and 2025 could finally be the season he puts it all together.
While he hasn’t posted eye-popping sack totals—just 10.5 sacks across three seasons—Tuimoloau’s tape shows his true value. He is disruptive against both the run and the pass, often drawing double teams and collapsing pockets to create opportunities for teammates. His return gives Patricia a veteran presence with the size (6’4”, 270 lbs), athleticism, and football IQ to anchor the edge.
Expect Patricia to move Tuimoloau around—sometimes standing him up, sometimes kicking him inside on passing downs. His ability to set the edge and absorb blockers will allow others to feast.
Jack Sawyer: The Explosive Counterpart
Lining up opposite Tuimoloau is Jack Sawyer, another former five-star recruit who seems poised to take the next step. In 2024, Sawyer quietly had a productive season, tallying 8 sacks and 14 tackles for loss. He’s an explosive athlete who plays with a nonstop motor and has improved his hand-fighting technique.
What makes Sawyer such a key figure in Patricia’s scheme is his ability to operate in both even and odd fronts. He can play with his hand in the dirt or stand up as an outside linebacker. Patricia could even drop him into coverage on zone blitzes, something Sawyer has the athleticism to do on occasion.
With Tuimoloau and Sawyer forming the starting duo, Ohio State already has one of the top pass-rushing tandems in the country. But the depth behind them is where things get especially exciting.
Kenyatta Jackson Jr.: The X-Factor with Elite Upside
Kenyatta Jackson Jr. enters his third season at Ohio State with sky-high expectations. The former top-50 national recruit has flashed elite get-off and bend, traits that made him one of the most coveted edge rushers in the country coming out of high school.
While playing behind Tuimoloau and Sawyer limited his snaps in 2024, Jackson still managed to rack up 5.5 sacks in rotational duty. His speed around the edge is lethal, and he has added weight to improve his ability to defend the run. In 2025, Jackson is expected to be a regular part of the rotation and could even close games as part of a “NASCAR” package with multiple speed rushers on the field.
Patricia will likely use Jackson as a situational weapon—deploying him on third downs or obvious passing situations to pin his ears back and attack. His burst makes him a nightmare for slower tackles, and his presence will allow the starters to stay fresh deep into games.
C.J. Hicks and Arvell Reese Bring Positional Versatility
Two hybrid defenders worth spotlighting in Patricia’s plans are C.J. Hicks and Arvell Reese. Though both are technically linebackers, each has flashed edge-rushing ability and could be used in creative sub-packages.
Hicks, a former five-star recruit, has the range and instincts to play in coverage but also has the length (6’3”) and closing speed to rush off the edge. Patricia could use him as a blitzer from the second level or even line him up at weakside end in a 3-3-5 look.
Reese, meanwhile, is a heat-seeking missile with a high motor and physical play style. He’s still raw as a pass-rusher, but his upside is tantalizing. If he continues to progress, Patricia could mold him into a Micah Parsons-lite—a movable chess piece who can attack from anywhere.
Young Guns: Eddrick Houston, Booker Pickett Jr. Lead the Next Wave
The 2025 season also marks the debut of two blue-chip edge prospects: Eddrick Houston and Booker Pickett Jr.
Houston, a five-star recruit out of Buford, Georgia, has the physique and polish to contribute early. At 6’4”, 265 pounds, he’s physically ready for Big Ten football. His hand usage and pad level are ahead of most freshmen, and he has a relentless motor.
Pickett, meanwhile, is a speed demon off the edge. While he’ll need time in the weight room to handle Big Ten offensive linemen, his first-step quickness is already elite. Patricia may use him situationally—similar to how Alabama used Tim Williams early in his career.
If either freshman can provide meaningful snaps, Ohio State’s edge rotation will be even deeper than expected. Patricia and defensive line coach Larry Johnson will be able to mix and match players based on game flow and matchup.
Depth Chart Snapshot: Stacked and Dangerous
Here’s how the edge rotation could look entering fall camp:
Starters:
- DE: J.T. Tuimoloau (Sr.)
- DE: Jack Sawyer (Sr.)
Rotation/Backups:
- Kenyatta Jackson Jr. (Jr.)
- C.J. Hicks (Jr.) – Hybrid LB/Edge
- Arvell Reese (So.) – Hybrid LB/Edge
- Eddrick Houston (Fr.)
- Booker Pickett Jr. (Fr.)
This doesn’t even include other developmental prospects like Jason Moore or Mitchell Melton, who could also find roles as the season progresses.
Schematic Implications: Multiple Fronts, Confusion, and Chaos
With this level of depth and talent, Patricia has the freedom to experiment with a variety of fronts:
- 4-2-5 Base: Tuimoloau and Sawyer play traditional ends, with two linebackers and five DBs behind them.
- 3-3-5 Look: Three down linemen with Jackson or Hicks acting as a stand-up edge on the weak side.
- NASCAR Package: Four speed rushers (Sawyer, Jackson, Pickett, Reese) line up across the line on 3rd-and-long.
- Zone Blitz Looks: Drop Tuimoloau into coverage while blitzing Hicks or a cornerback from the boundary.
Each week, Patricia can tailor his pressure packages to the opponent. Against a mobile quarterback, he can use contain principles and zone pressure. Against a pocket passer, he can dial up creative blitzes. No matter the situation, Ohio State will be able to get after the quarterback without relying on traditional means.
Impact on the Season: Championship-Level Defense?
The 2025 Buckeyes have national championship aspirations. With an offense expected to be led by a new quarterback and star weapons like Jeremiah Smith at wide receiver, the defense must provide stability and game-changing plays.
Having a deep and versatile edge rotation means that Ohio State can rotate fresh legs, generate consistent pressure, and minimize fatigue. It also means that injuries won’t derail the unit—there are at least six players who could start for most Big Ten teams.
Most importantly, it gives Patricia the flexibility to scheme creatively, keep quarterbacks off balance, and create turnovers. If Ohio State leads the Big Ten in sacks or tackles for loss, don’t be surprised—it will be a direct result of this loaded edge room.
Final Thoughts: A New Defensive Identity in Columbus
Ohio State has always recruited elite talent, but under Matt Patricia’s guidance, this edge group may reach new heights. With a mix of veteran leadership, explosive youth, and schematic versatility, the 2025 Buckeyes will be built to hunt quarterbacks from every angle.
If Patricia can unlock the full potential of this unit, expect to see a much more aggressive and unpredictable defense in Columbus this fall. One that not only pressures the passer—but redefines what Ohio State football looks like on that side of the ball. The Silver Bullets are back, and they’re bringing the heat.
