COLUMBUS — Ohio State will have its interior defensive line depth tested on Saturday when it returns to action against Marshall.

The Buckeyes will be without Tyleik Williams on Saturday, according to the availability report released by the program on Saturday morning. A fourth-year senior from Manassas, Virginia, is a potential All-American and first-round pick for the Buckeyes, but he’ll miss action for the first time this year.

In his place, one Ohio State defensive tackle will earn a first career start.

Who could that be? The Buckeyes have plenty of options to choose from after building depth in the defensive line room all preseason. They could turn to second-year tackle Kayden McDonald, who continues to impress. Other options include redshirt sophomore Hero Kanu and redshirt freshman Jason Moore, among others.

Ohio State coach Ryan Day was asked Tuesday about his feeling on the defensive interior depth, and he seems confident in what the Buckeyes are building behind Williams and senior Ty Hamilton.

“Hero’s right there. K-Mac is right there as well,” Day said. “And then we’re really looking for the next couple guys to step up into that role. And I think Larry would tell you the same thing. There’s a bunch of candidates, but that’s something that I think that whole room is really pushing towards, you know, and getting those guys to step up. You’ve got Will [Smith Jr.]. You got Tywone [Malone], you’ve got Jason Moore. There’s some names in there of guys that we believe can do it. And so that’s a challenge. We’re looking for guys to step up in that room.”

Williams’ absence will give the Buckeyes a better look at the depth they’ve built in the defensive line room all offseason, and it’ll also give them a peek into the future of the room, considering that Williams and Hamilton will both be off to the NFL after this season.

Williams is just the second defensive starter to miss time so far this season; senior linebacker Cody Simon was out for the opener against Akron but returned the next week against Western Michigan.

One other note: starting left guard Donovan Jackson is not on the availability report, officially clearing the way for him to make his season debut for Ohio State on Saturday against Marshall.

The full availability report from the program is now confirmed, making note that Ohio State doesn’t detail injury or disciplinary matters.

Questionable

No Buckeyes are questionable

Out for Ohio State

Sesay, Rashid
Williams, Tyleik
Caffey, Timothy (season)

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