COLUMBUS, Ohio — Following the departure of four defensive linemen to the NFL Draft after the 2024 national championship, many anticipated a decline in the performance of Ohio State“s defensive front in 2025. However, during a recent episode of the Buckeye Talk podcast, Stephen Means put forth a bold assertion that took his co-hosts by surprise. “I have a hot take. I think the 2025 defensive line was better than the 2024 defensive line,” Means stated.
This claim raises eyebrows, especially when considering that the previous unit produced a first-round selection in Tyleik Williams and a second-round pick in JT Tuimoloau, along with Jack Sawyer and Mike Hall. Yet, Means articulated a convincing argument suggesting the 2025 group, led by unanimous All-American Kaden McDonald and standout edge rusher Kaden Curry, who amassed 11 sacks, not only filled the void left by their predecessors but may have exceeded their capabilities.
Means highlighted the improved depth of the 2025 unit as a significant factor in his argument. “The depth at defensive tackle was better in 2025; you had four guys. Last year you had two and a half, and the half guy was playing defensive end until about a month and a half into the season,” he explained. This increased depth proved essential throughout the season. While the 2024 unit leaned on star players, the 2025 group showcased a rotation of talented athletes who kept the defensive line fresh.
Alongside McDonald, Taiwan Malone emerged as a formidable force, while Edric Houston, after overcoming early-season injuries, became a key disruptive presence by the end of the season. Andrew Gillis, who initially questioned Means” assertion, came to recognize the remarkable achievement of the 2025 defensive line. “So, I”m at a nine as well because I think they replaced the defensive line that lost every single starter to the NFL with a defensive line that might have had every single starter that could get dropped into the NFL,” Gillis remarked.
The potential NFL prospects of the 2025 unit further bolster Means” claim. McDonald is viewed as a likely first-round draft pick if he opts to declare, while Curry”s 11 sacks place him in elite company alongside Chase Young and Tuimoloau, the only Buckeyes to achieve double-digit sacks in the Ryan Day era.
What makes this accomplishment even more impressive is the contrasting backgrounds of the players. The 2024 defensive line featured numerous five-star recruits, while the 2025 unit included several success stories of player development. Notably, Curry was not widely expected to emerge as the dominant force he became this season. “The only person in on the Ohio State beat who would have ever predicted that Kaden Curry was going to do what he was going to do this year is Jeremy Birmingham,” Means acknowledged.
Statistically, McDonald surpassed his predecessor, Tyleik Williams, at nose tackle. Over 448 snaps throughout 14 games, McDonald recorded 65 tackles, just four shy of the team”s leading draft prospect, alongside nine tackles for loss, three sacks, two forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery. In contrast, Williams had more pressures but recorded fewer tackles and comparable disruption statistics.
The defensive line”s outstanding performance extended beyond individual accolades. The unit consistently dominated against every opponent, including in their two losses. In the Cotton Bowl against Miami, Edric Houston “is lighting up the tape,” as Means noted. Even in defeat, the defensive front”s quality was evident. Perhaps most striking was their ability to perform without the element of surprise; opposing offenses were well aware of whom to focus on yet struggled to contain players like Curry, who, as Stefan Krajisnik observed, “tried to kill the Heisman Trophy winner in the first snap of the game” during the conference championship.
When the podcast hosts assessed the defensive line”s performance on a scale of 1-10, both Krajisnik and Gillis rated the unit a 9, demonstrating how profoundly they surpassed preseason expectations. This debate over which defensive line was superior underscores the exceptional standard set by Larry Johnson in Columbus. The fact that a unit replacing four NFL draft picks could potentially outperform its predecessors highlights Johnson”s development skills and the Buckeyes” recruiting capabilities. Whether one aligns with Means or believes the 2024 group still holds the edge, one fact remains clear: the Buckeyes” defensive line in 2025 was extraordinary, laying the groundwork for continued success in 2026 and beyond.
