Next Man Up: How Buckeyes can replace pair of starting safeties
Ohio State went 11-2 and went to the College Football Playoff last season with a loaded roster. Some of the key players from that Buckeyes team moved onto the NFL. Who could step in to make plays similar to what the former Buckeyes made last season? Lettermen Row is breaking down who is next in line to be a playmaker. Next up: How the Buckeyes can replace Tanner McCalister and Ronnie Hickman.
COLUMBUS — Ohio State relied on two of its starting safeties for two very different reasons last fall.
Ronnie Hickman was the leading tackler in the 2021 Buckeyes defense, and he gave them a veteran presence in the back end a year ago. Tanner McCalister, meanwhile, transferred over from Oklahoma State to reunite with new defensive coordinator Jim Knowles. McCalister helped Knowles install the defense, and he aided the Buckeyes in taking a big step forward on that side of the ball a season ago.
Both are now members of the Cleveland Browns after being signed as undrafted free agents, and just like that, Ohio State must replace two starting safeties.
Lathan Ransom returns for the Buckeyes, but he’s the lone starter coming back from a defense that had plenty of positives but needs to get a lot better if this program is going to compete for a national title again this year.
Lettermen Row is breaking down all the options to replace those two starters and suit up alongside Ransom in the starting lineup. Let’s dive in.
Ohio State options
Josh Proctor: Some folks were surprised when Josh Proctor decided to return for his sixth and final year at Ohio State. He seems to be making the most of his last dance, showing improvement in an impressive spring practice period. Proctor put himself in position to claim a starting job as the summer progresses and training camp looms in early August. Expect to see a lot of Josh Proctor in the Buckeyes defense this fall.
Ja’Had Carter: Ohio State added former Syracuse safety Ja’Had Carter to bolster its secondary, and he immediately began to show why that was a good move in spring ball — prior to an injury that slowed him down in the final weeks of camp. Carter will have a role in the defense due to his flexibility in the system and what the Buckeyes envision for him. Where he will play and how prominent that role will be remains to be seen.
Cameron Martinez: After going through plenty of ups and downs last fall, Cameron Martinez made clear improvements in winter workouts and entered spring with quite a bit of buzz. It was warranted, as Martinez played nearly the entire spring as the starting nickel back, rarely straying from that first-team role throughout March and April. He has a chance to start for this defense, depending on the personnel needed for different opponents. He’ll have a big role to play.
Kourt Williams: Can Kourt Williams finally stay healthy? The fourth-year safety and Buckeyes captain will need to be healthy and have a fantastic training camp to find a role in the secondary. It all hinges on his availability this fall.
Sonny Styles: One way or another, Ohio State will need to find a way to get Sonny Styles on the field. Safeties coach Perry Eliano even went as far as saying that the coaching staff is streamlining his role to make sure he’s ready for that role. Jim Knowles and Ryan Day both talked about him as one of the best 11 defenders on the roster, a clear sign that he’s going to be involved in the defensive secondary. The second-year safety must be utilized.
Kye Stokes: After an impressive set of 15 spring practices last year, Kye Stokes went through a pivotal autumn of development for the Buckeyes. He had his moments in spring practice last month, but the depth chart ahead of him is stacked, especially at his spot. Josh Proctor, Lathan Ransom and others will likely keep Stokes off the field, and with good reason, at least for one more fall.
Malik Hartford: The Ohio State coaching staff was impressed with Malik Hartford in his first spring in the program, noting his work ethic and skillset. The freshman safety has a real shot to earn a role on special teams this fall, a major step toward future playing time in the secondary.
Jayden Bonsu and Cedrick Hawkins: Both true freshmen arrived on campus this summer and will have an uphill climb to get on the field come fall. Jayden Bonsu and Cedrick Hawkins are beginning a developmental year, but we’ll check back on them in the future.
The pick: Depends on personnel, opponent
It’s hard to pinpoint one or two Ohio State safeties who will take over starting roles for the two former starters. Cameron Martinez figures to be in the mix at nickel back when the Buckeyes face teams that want to throw the ball. Ja’Had Carter can play any safety spot like he did at Syracuse, but does he have a defined home? And what does his skillset best defend against? Josh Proctor is a veteran who impressed in spring ball, but he’s never been consistent enough to truly elevate the Ohio State defense.
Of course, Lathan Ransom has proven that he can be on the field for nearly every snap — he deserves to be there, which is why he’s excluded from this list of options. But the Buckeyes have options elsewhere, including Sonny Styles, who can defend the run, as we saw last year. Can he be good against the passing teams on the slate?
The safety position could see more rotation than in years past, depending on personnel.
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