Ohio State’s defensive line features two distinct defensive tackle positions, and most defensive tackles practice and play specifically at one position or the other.
Davon Hamilton, Robert Landers and Tommy Togiai play the nose tackle position, which is typically reserved for stronger, stouter defensive tackles who can hold their ground against double-team blocks and free up their teammates around them to make plays. Jashon Cornell, Taron Vincent and Haskell Garrett play the 3-technique tackle position, which typically features quicker, more explosive defensive tackles who can defeat one-on-one blocks, shoot gaps into the backfield and pass rush.
Ohio State defensive line coach Larry Johnson prefers to have his defensive tackles focus on one position or the other – whichever one fits their respective skill sets best – so that they can specialize their games for the specific roles they play.