Eric Boggs
Ohio State defensive line coach Larry Johnson met with the media during fall camp and spoke with a clear sense of confidence about the group he has helped mold. With the season opener against Texas drawing closer, Johnson stressed that the defensive line is both deeper and more disciplined than it has been in recent years. “I really like where we’re at,” Johnson said. “The leadership has been strong. Our older guys have done a great job of bringing the young guys along, and that makes a big difference this time of year.”
Veterans such as Kenyatta Jackson Jr., Caden Curry, and Kayden McDonald are leading by example, and Johnson didn’t hesitate to credit them for setting the tone. Their experience has allowed the defensive line room to operate at a higher standard every day. “When you have older guys showing the way, you can spend more time teaching technique and less time worrying about effort,” Johnson explained. “That allows the young guys to develop faster.” For a position group that will face some of the best offensive lines in the country, the foundation those leaders have built is invaluable.
The conversation quickly turned toward the younger Buckeyes who are trying to earn playing time. Johnson singled out sophomore Eddrick Houston, calling him one of the most prepared under classmen he’s coached in years. “He’s been locked in from day one,” Johnson said. “You can see he understands that every rep matters, and that’s what you want to see early in a career.” He also highlighted McDonald’s growth, noting that his physicality and motor stand out during scrimmages.
Johnson emphasized that while raw talent is important, what separates great defensive lines is competition across the board. That depth has been on display in camp, with multiple players fighting for meaningful snaps. “We’ve got eight or nine guys who can give us quality snaps,” Johnson said. “That’s how you stay fresh in the fourth quarter of big games. When you rotate like that, there’s no drop-off, and that’s the goal.” For Ohio State fans, those words signal a return to the type of relentless defensive fronts that have defined the program’s best defenses.
One theme Johnson returned to repeatedly was the technical details that win games in the trenches. He pointed out pad level, hand placement, and pursuit of the football as the habits he’s drilling into both veterans and underclassmen. “You can have all the talent in the world,” Johnson explained, “but if your hands aren’t right, if your pad level isn’t right, you’re not going to win. We’re focusing on those things every single day.” That attention to detail is what has made Johnson one of the most respected defensive line coaches in the country.
The presence of young players learning from veterans has created a balanced room, something Johnson clearly values. He said it allows him to coach harder and push the group toward its potential. “The older guys bring the young guys along, and that’s when you start to see the culture take shape,” Johnson said. “It’s about accountability. Nobody wants to let the guy next to him down, and that’s what makes a strong defensive line.”
As the Buckeyes prepare for a season where the margin for error will be slim, Johnson believes his defensive line is positioned to be a strength. Between the leadership of players like Jackson and McDonald, the rise of underclassmen like Houston and C.J. Hicks, and the ability to rotate nearly a full second unit without sacrificing production, this unit looks poised to set the tone in 2025. For Johnson, the formula is simple but effective. “Play hard, play fast, and play together,” he said. “If we do that, everything else will take care of itself.”
