The concerns were legitimate last winter. When Ohio State’s 2024 championship season ended, the defensive line looked like a catastrophic liability for 2025. Jack Sawyer, JT Tuimoloau, Tyleik Williams, and Ty Hamilton—all four starters—were leaving for the NFL.
Replacing one elite defensive lineman is difficult. Replacing four simultaneously seemed impossible.
When Matt Patricia arrived in Columbus in February 2025, rebuilding the defensive line became his most pressing challenge. The former New England Patriots defensive coordinator brought three Super Bowl rings and over two decades of NFL experience—but could he develop four new starters into an elite unit?
Eight months later, Ohio State’s defensive line isn’t just holding its own—it’s dominating at a level that rivals last year’s unit. Matt Patricia has transformed what looked like the defense’s biggest weakness into its greatest strength.
Caden Curry: The Breakout Star Under Matt Patricia
Nothing illustrated the defensive line’s transformation better than Curry’s performance against Washington on September 27.
Three sacks. Eleven tackles with nine solo—a dominant afternoon that announced Curry as one of the Big Ten’s premier defensive ends.
Through the season, Curry has recorded 43 total tackles, 26 solo tackles, and 7 sacks, establishing himself as a legitimate NFL prospect. Before this season, Curry was primarily a rotational edge rusher who showed flashes but lacked consistent opportunities. Matt Patricia identified his potential during spring practice and built specific packages around his explosive first step and relentless motor.
Patricia’s stunt packages created the one-on-one opportunities that Curry exploited throughout the Washington game. His three sacks came from different alignments and techniques, showcasing both the scheme’s effectiveness and Curry’s technical development. The Washington performance wasn’t an outlier—it represented the culmination of technical refinements Patricia implemented throughout fall camp, focusing on hand placement, leverage, and counter moves.
Kayden McDonald: Matt Patricia’s Interior Disruptor
At 6’3″ and 326 pounds, McDonald provides interior presence that makes everything else work. He demands double teams, clogs running lanes, and collapses pockets from the inside.
McDonald’s presence has been instrumental in Ohio State’s red zone defense—the best in the nation at 57.9%. With 44 total tackles, 25 solo tackles, 3 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles, McDonald has become a force in the middle.
Matt Patricia uses McDonald as both a traditional nose tackle and a penetrating three-technique depending on the situation, giving the Buckeyes flexibility without substituting personnel. During spring practice, observers noted McDonald appeared heavier than his listed 326 pounds—possibly approaching 350—but his conditioning has remained excellent throughout the season, allowing him to play significant snaps without compromising effectiveness.
The two forced fumbles demonstrate McDonald’s impact beyond traditional statistics. His ability to shed blocks and disrupt ball carriers in short-yardage situations has prevented numerous scoring opportunities, contributing directly to Ohio State’s elite red zone defense numbers.
Arvell Reese: The Hybrid Edge in Matt Patricia’s System
Arvell Reese has thrived in Matt Patricia’s system, moving between linebacker and edge roles. With 58 total tackles, 30 solo tackles, and 6.5 sacks, Reese has become a disruptive piece in Ohio State’s pressure packages.
Patricia’s versatility in deploying Reese creates schematic nightmares for opposing offensive coordinators. Reese might align as an off-ball linebacker on first down, then move to a stand-up edge position on third down, then drop into coverage on a zone blitz. This positional flexibility—a hallmark of Patricia’s New England Patriots defenses—prevents offenses from identifying blitz packages or establishing blocking schemes.
The Scheme That Makes It Work
Individual talent explains part of Ohio State’s success, but Matt Patricia’s scheme deserves equal credit. Stunts and twists create confusion and one-on-one opportunities. Multiple alignments prevent offensive lines from establishing rhythm. Gap discipline eliminates easy running lanes.
Matt Patricia’s Defensive Line Philosophy:
- Advanced stunts and twists – Interior linemen and edge rushers exchange gaps post-snap, creating confusion for offensive line blocking assignments
- Multiple front packages – The same four players execute 4-3, 3-4, and odd-front alignments without substitutions
- Simplified communication – Despite complex looks, Patricia emphasizes clear, concise communication so players execute at full speed
- Technique over athleticism – Hand placement, leverage, and gap discipline take priority over pure physical dominance
Defensive line coach Larry Johnson has praised Patricia’s collaborative approach, noting how the coordinator adapts scheme elements to maximize what Johnson’s position group does best. This partnership between coordinator philosophy and position coach expertise has created a defensive front that plays with both intelligence and aggression.
Results That Speak
Ohio State’s defense allows 7.5 points per game and ranks first nationally in total defense at 212.6 yards per game. The rushing defense allows just 81.4 yards per game, ranking second nationally. Those numbers start at the line of scrimmage.
The Buckeyes have allowed only 3 rushing touchdowns all season—a testament to the defensive line’s dominance. When opponents reach the red zone, they face a wall of defenders who understand their assignments, execute with precision, and rarely surrender easy scoring opportunities.
Matt Patricia inherited a defensive line with four new starters and massive question marks. Eight months later, that unit has become the defense’s greatest strength—a transformation that speaks to both his scheme and his ability to develop players who execute it at an elite level.
