Eric Boggs
Cornerback Davison Igbinosun has announced his return to Ohio State for his senior season, delivering a significant boost to the Buckeyes’ defense for the 2025 campaign. Igbinosun capped off an impressive 2024 season with 45 tackles, two tackles for loss, two interceptions, and nine pass breakups. Pro Football Focus highlighted his stellar performance in coverage, allowing just 32 catches on 60 targets for 368 yards and two touchdowns—a mere 6.1 yards per target. This efficiency placed him among the nation’s elite, as only seven FBS offenses averaged 6.1 yards or worse per pass attempt.
Despite being projected by some as a late first-round pick, with most mock drafts placing him between rounds two and four, Igbinosun’s decision to return underscores his commitment to refining his game. One area of focus will be penalties, as he led college football with 16 flags in 2024. Nonetheless, his 6-foot-2 frame, athleticism, and physicality make him an indispensable piece for Ohio State’s secondary next season.
The Buckeyes’ cornerback room will undergo a transformation in 2025. With starters Jordan Hancock and Denzel Burke heading to the NFL, Igbinosun becomes the lone returning starter. Rising junior Jermaine Mathews Jr. is expected to compete for a starting role opposite Igbinosun, while rising sophomore Aaron Scott Jr. and incoming five-star freshman Devin Sanchez add depth and talent to the position. Other contributors, such as redshirt senior Lorenzo Styles Jr. and redshirt freshman Bryce West, are also vying for significant roles.
Igbinosun’s decision to stay comes alongside linebacker Sonny Styles, who also opted to return, solidifying key defensive positions for the Buckeyes. However, not all decisions favored Ohio State, as running back Quinshon Judkins declared for the NFL draft, and defensive tackle Hero Kanu entered the transfer portal.
Kanu’s journey at Ohio State concludes after three seasons in which he showcased glimpses of his potential. A native of Germany, Kanu transitioned from soccer to football, moving to the United States for his senior year of high school. Rated as the 129th overall prospect in the 2022 recruiting class, Kanu redshirted his first year and played limited snaps in subsequent seasons. In 2024, he logged 123 snaps—fifth-most among Ohio State’s defensive tackles—but was ultimately surpassed on the depth chart by standout freshman Eddrick Houston. Kanu departs with 14 tackles and one sack and will have two years of eligibility at his next destination.
The Buckeyes now face critical decisions at defensive tackle following the departures of senior stalwarts Ty Hamilton and Tyleik Williams. Rising junior Kayden McDonald is the frontrunner at nose guard, while Houston’s emergence positions him as a likely starter at three-technique. Competition will come from redshirt sophomore Jason Moore and redshirt senior Tywone Malone, with additional depth provided by redshirt sophomore Will Smith Jr. and redshirt freshman Eric Mensah. Freshman arrivals Jarquez Carter, Trajen Odom, and Maxwell Roy further bolster the interior line.
As the Buckeyes prepare for the 2025 season, the mix of returning talent and incoming prospects sets the stage for another competitive year in Columbus. With Igbinosun anchoring the secondary and a reshuffled defensive line aiming to step up, Ohio State remains poised to contend at the highest level.
