Ohio State Football: Can the 2026 Defense Be Elite Despite Departures?

In this episode of The Buckeye Weekly Podcast, hosts Tony Godeman and Tom discuss the future of Ohio State's defense following the departure of multiple NFL-caliber players, including four first-round draft picks from the 2025 defense. Despite the significant turnover, the hosts express optimism that the 2026 defense can still be elite, not necessarily surpassing last year’s historic unit but remaining in the same high-performance range. They highlight the strategic advantages of the modern transfer portal, which has brought in proven players like Quay Russo, James Smith, and Christian Allegro—talent capable of stepping into starting roles. The episode emphasizes that while the defense will look different due to new personnel and coaching adaptations, the continuity of the defensive staff, particularly coordinator Matt Patricia, provides stability and flexibility to tailor schemes to new skill sets. The hosts suggest that this year’s defense may be more aggressive and creative, potentially leading to more turnovers despite slightly higher allowed points, and frame the transition as an exciting evolution rather than a decline. They conclude that the defense will make its own mark, even if not identical to the past.