When a college football team has three defensive ends selected in the first four rounds of the NFL draft, its defensive line is typically expected to take a step back the following season. Ohio State’s 2018 defensive line, however, is expected to potentially be even better.
That’s not to say that Tyquan Lewis, Sam Hubbard and Jalyn Holmes – as well as Tracy Sprinkle, who is also now playing in the NFL after starting for the Buckeyes last season at nose tackle – won’t be missed this season. All four of them were captains and considered to be among the Buckeyes’ top leaders last season, and Hubbard was named as the team MVP.