Replacing Ty Hamilton: Buckeyes In Search For New Nose

This is the sixth in a series looking at how the Buckeyes will be replacing their departed starters in 2025. Up next is the nose tackle spot vacated by fifth-year senior Ty Hamilton.

The Buckeyes are finally losing nose tackle Ty Hamilton after three years as a starter. He split duties with Mike Hall in 2022 and 2023, but started every game this past season. Hamilton finished seventh on the team with 51 tackles this past season. He also added 6.0 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks. He became just the second OSU defensive tackle in the last eight years with 50+ tackles in a season (Tyleik Williams, 53 in 2023).

Hamilton was an Honorable Mention All-Big Ten selection each of the past two years. He didn’t get the attention of fellow senior defensive linemen Tyleik Williams, Jack Sawyer, and JT Tuimoloau, but he was consistent and steadfast at the point of attack.

Replacing Ty Hamilton won’t be just about finding a new starting nose tackle for the Buckeyes, but also figuring out how to replace his experience, technique, discipline, and nuance at the line of scrimmage.

The Candidates

The list of candidates begins with rising junior Kayden McDonald, who finished third among the defensive tackles in snaps last season (214). He is the only returning defensive tackle who saw time on defense in every game last season. Third-year tackle Hero Kanu also fit this bill but has since transferred to Texas.

Ohio State defensive line coach Larry Johnson has no problem cross-training linemen between three technique and nose tackle, so projecting the other candidates at nose mainly involves just listing nearly all of the other defensive tackles.

Redshirt sophomores Jason Moore and Will Smith, Jr. are both expected to make a jump in playing time in 2025. Redshirt freshman Eric Mensah hasn’t seen the field since September, but that’s not completely out of the ordinary at Ohio State.

Larry Johnson also signed three defensive tackles in the 2025 recruiting class. He has labeled Jarquez Carter a likely three tech. Maxwell Roy won’t arrive until June. He missed his senior season due to an ACL tear during a wrestling match. Trajen Odom has already enrolled but he may take some time to find a spot.

Spring Outlook

Spring practice will be an opportunity for Larry Johnson to see where his defensive tackles fit in. Not just in what order, but also at which position. Johnson doesn’t always subscribe to the notion that the bigger tackle plays the nose. He has sided with quickness at that position in the past — see: Robert Landers and Mike Hall.

Part of this decision will also be who he doesn’t want to take away from the more disruptive three-tech spot. Overall, the level of inexperience at the position is a concern. The possibilities at nose tackle mentioned above combined for just 30 tackles last season — and 19 of those belonged to Kayden McDonald.

Best Bet

The best bet to replace Ty Hamilton this year is Kayden McDonald. Not only was he first in line this past year, he’s seen actual reps each of his first two seasons as a Buckeye. He is going to be an upperclassman this season. Now he’s got the playing time and experience to help be a part of a brand new starting defensive line.

What happens behind McDonald, however, is still a question without an answer. The eventual answer for both backup tackle spots may just be the next two guys in line for playing time, whoever they may be. Larry Johnson isn’t going to let the No. 7 defensive tackle be the No. 2 nose tackle, for instance.

You also have to wonder if the spring transfer portal could be an answer for Ohio State in terms of strengthening the position or the tackle room as a whole.

Will Howard – Quarterback | Emeka Egbuka – Slot Receiver | Gee Scott, Jr. – Tight End | Cody Simon – Middle Linebacker | Jordan Hancock – Nickel Back

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