2025 Buckeye Breakdown: The Safeties

Last year, the Ohio State defense was among the elite. Among other things, it was thanks to the play of its secondary, led by the safeties. From coming downhill and cracking helmets to securing College Football Playoff wins, the Buckeye safeties were and are integral to the defense’s success. This year, one starter returns. That one returning starter just so happens to be one of, if not the top defender in college football. The question lies with who else will take the field.

2025 Buckeye Breakdown: The Safeties

The Best

You’d be hard-pressed to find a reputable source that has a defender ranked higher than Ohio State’s Caleb Downs. There isn’t a weakness in his game. Despite playing safety, Downs’s talent and football IQ are constantly on display. Offenses have to constantly be aware of where number two is lined up. He came to Ohio State via the transfer portal after being the most prolific freshman defender in Alabama’s storied history. At Ohio State, he wasn’t asked to do nearly as much, but he still put up impressive stats.

In 16 games, Downs amassed 82 tackles, eight tackles for loss, half of a sack, six pass breakups, and two interceptions. If Ohio State had pulled out the win against Michigan, Downs’ third-quarter interception deep in Wolverine territory would have been the turning point. Alas, the Buckeyes missed a chip-shot field goal. His second interception sealed the win over Texas in the Cotton Bowl.

Time will tell, and positional value will come into play, but Downs has a legitimate shot to be the first non-quarterback taken in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Two or Three Starters?

With Downs, there is a conversation about whether or not the Buckeyes’ safeties will have two or three on the field. According to defensive coordinator Matt Patricia, Downs, Jaylen McClain, and Malik Hartford have all earned playing time. Last year, McClain earned the third-most snaps at safety with just 106, and Harford came in fourth with 94. Lathan Ransom played 816 snaps last year, so there are snaps to be had.

While Ryan Day and Patricia have not expressly said who the next man up at safety will be, McClain was an “Iron Buckeye” through summer workouts, showing his leadership and work ethic stood out among his peers. As a true freshman in 2024, McClain appeared in all 16 games and recorded 15 tackles, one tackle for loss, and one pass breakup. McClain was primarily a strong safety in relief last year, but all three safeties have been working in all facets of the back-end of the secondary.

Hartford appeared in 14 games for the Buckeyes last year and contributed eight tackles with one pass breakup. In the Spring, Hartford spent more time with the first-team defense. He also earned well over 100 snaps as a true freshman in 2023, so the Buckeyes have two guys who have significant experience to step up.

The coaches have noted that all three will likely get some run against Texas. With Downs at Nickel and McClain with Hartford at free and strong safety, Arch Manning‘s coronation will be a bit more difficult.

The Depth

Barring some serious rotation, Downs, McClain, and Hartford will get the overwhelming number of snaps. Ideally, for the future, a few depth pieces will get some playing time. True freshman Faheem Delane could be the first one off the bench. Delane appears to be a protegé of Downs, as he is adept at both coverage and can be utilized as a box safety. He’s a natural athlete and showed a glimpse in the Spring Game with a pick-six. If he redshirts this year, it’ll be a surprise.

The other depth piece worth keeping an eye on is redshirt freshman Leroy Roker III. He only appeared in two games last year, but he’s been turning heads this summer. It was reported that Downs’s confidence has been influencing the rest of the room, including Roker. As a natural athlete, Roker can be utilized as a ball-hawking free safety. He played both ways in high school, so he brings wide receiver ball skills to the Buckeye safety room.

All in all, it’ll be a three-headed monster taking up the vast majority of the playing time. However, Delane and Roker have been earning the praise of their coaches and will be the next men up.