With JT and Denzel Burke's announcements headlining the returning defensive production, Ohio State will return nine defensive starters in 2024. A recap by position:

Defensive line: starters included J.T. Tuimoloau, Jack Sawyer, Tyleik Williams, and Ty Hamilton/Mike Hall Jr. All will return except Mike Hall Jr. who is projected to be a second round pick.

Linebackers: 2023 starters Tommy Eichenberg and Steele Chambers will both be going to the draft. Cody Simon who rotated frequently and former 5* LB C.J. Hicks will most likely be the new starters.

Secondary: all 2023 starters will return Lathan Ranson, Sonny Styles, Denzel Burke, Davison Igbinosun, and Jordan Hancock all returning. Josh Proctor, who had the 6th most snaps on defense and frequently rotated in at safety, has accepted a senior bowl invite and is not expected to return.

Of the 19 defensive players with 100 regular season snaps all but 3 will return with all three heading towards the draft. By regular season snap count Ohio State will return 80.3% of defensive production. (Source: Snap Counts from 11Warriors)

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Edit: Proctor accepted a bowl invite and I thought the NFL draft did both rounds on day one so corrected that Mike Hall Jr. is projected as a second rounder. With Proctor's change production on regular season snap count is actually 73.8% but I can't change the title.

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