2023 Ohio State Freshman Class Report: Defensive Tackle Jason Moore

This is the 13th installment in a series where Buckeye Huddle looks back on each member of Ohio State’s 2023 signing class and the impact they had as rookies, as well as the impact they could have during the upcoming 2024 season. Up next is defensive tackle Jason Moore.

Jason Moore came to Ohio State from DeMatha Catholic High School in Hyattsville, Maryland, which is the same school that produced former Buckeye defensive end Chase Young. As a junior, Moore recorded 73 tackles and 14 sacks. As a senior he was the second-ranked recruit in the state.

Moore (6-6 295) was the No. 67 overall player in the 2023 recruiting class and the No. 8 defensive lineman. He signed with Ohio State after taking official visits to OSU, Michigan, Notre Dame, and Penn State. He also held offers from the likes of Alabama, USC, Texas A&M, and Oklahoma.

2023 Season

Despite playing defensive end in high school, Moore was moved inside to defensive tackle when he arrived at Ohio State. He was listed in high school at 6-foot-6 and 260 pounds, but he was already up to defensive tackle weight by the time he arrived in Columbus last summer.

“I like Jason,” defensive line coach Larry Johnson said last May. “I think Jason’s got a good chance. He’s a ‘Quiet Storm’ we call him. Doesn’t talk very much, but very hard worker. Looks good. And he’s up to 295 now, so he’s in a good space right now. So we’ll continue to watch the development.”

Moore didn’t enroll until June, which limited his ability to keep pace in fall camp. He only played in one game last year and will enter the 2024 season as a redshirt freshman.

So Now What For Jason Moore?

The Buckeyes lost two of their top five snap-getters at defensive tackle with Mike Hall leaving early for the NFL and Jaden McKenzie hitting the transfer portal and ending up at East Carolina. As such, there is a void that will need to be filled. The Buckeyes are also expecting to play at least three more games than they did last year, so Larry Johnson’s rotation may need to be kicked up a few notches.

Jason Moore is a unique defensive tackle at 6-foot-6, but he brings the kind of pass-rushing experience to the interior that Johnson loves. His teammates have also taken notice of him.

“Jason’s huge,” defensive end Jack Sawyer said back in December. “You look at Jason, yeah, he’s about 6-6 with a seven-foot wingspan. Super talented.”

Even though the Buckeyes return starters Tyleik Williams and Ty Hamilton, there isn’t much experience behind them. Moore is going to have a chance to get into the rotation, but so will a number of other players.

Moore will likely be battling with senior Tywone Malone to be the primary backup at the three-technique position behind Williams. Moore will get to experience his first spring camp next month. It will only help him get ready to compete in the fall for the kind of playing time befitting a former Top 100 recruit in his second year on campus.

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Safety Malik Hartford
Receiver Brandon Inniss
Safety Jayden Bonsu
Offensive Tackle Luke Montgomery
Defensive End Joshua Mickens
Tight End Jelani Thurman
Defensive Tackle Will Smith, Jr.
Cornerback Calvin Simpson-Hunt
Quarterback Lincoln Kienholz
Linebacker Nigel Glover
Offensive Guard Austin Siereveld
Cornerback Jermaine Mathews, Jr.