Projecting Ohio State football's defensive depth chart for 2019

Now that Urban Meyer is retired, the Ryan Day era at Ohio State has officially begun.

But a new head coach won't be the only change for the Buckeyes in 2019.

With several seniors set to graduate and a few underclassmen with NFL decisions to make, Ohio State's depth chart will feature plenty of fresh faces in the coming year. That could ring especially true on the Buckeyes defense, which could look drastically different in the coming year depending on how Day's staff shakes out.

Although the 2018 season just ended, it's never too early to look ahead. With that in mind, let's take a look at Ohio State's projected defense depth chart for the 2019 season. You can see the Buckeyes' projected offensive depth chart here.

Defensive end

1. Chase Young, junior
2. Tyreke Smith, sophomore
3. Tyler Friday, sophomore

Defensive end

1. Jonathon Cooper, senior
2. Zach Harrison, freshman
3. Jashon Cornell, redshirt senior

Even with Nick Bosa off to the NFL, defensive end remains arguably Ohio State's deepest position. Chase Young returns as the Buckeyes' likely next first-round pick after tallying 10.5 sacks in a breakout sophomore season.

Jonathon Cooper (2.5 sacks, 6.5 tackles for loss in 2018) has been solid and could very well reassume his starting role. But incoming 5-star freshman Zach Harrison could prove too talented to keep off the field after arriving at Ohio State as the No. 4 player in the country.

Sophomores Tyreke Smith and Tyler Friday should provide depth, as should fifth-year senior Jashon Cornell, who has experience at multiple positions across the defensive line.

Nose tackle

1. Robert Landers, redshirt senior
2. Davon Hamilton, redshirt senior
3. Tommy Togiai, redshirt freshman

Defensive tackle

1. Haskell Garrett, junior
2. Taron Vincent, sophomore
3. Jerron Cage, redshirt sophomore

While the Buckeyes should remain steady at nose tackle with the returns of seniors Robert Landers and Davon Hamilton, Ohio State has a void to fill at defensive tackle with Dre'Mont Jones off to the NFL. Haskell Garrett and Taron Vincent were each highlight touted prospects who will receive opportunities to replace Jones in the starting lineup, although the Buckeyes' best course of action may be a committee approach.

Also, don't discount Tyreke Smith's ability to slide inside should he add the requisite weight this offseason.

Linebacker

1. Baron Browning, junior
2. KeAndre Jones, senior

Middle linebacker

1. Tuf Borland, redshirt junior
2. Justin Hilliard, redshirt senior
3. Teradja Mitchell, redshirt freshman

Linebacker

1. Malik Harrison, redshirt senior
2. Pete Werner, junior
3. Cade Stover, freshman

With Bill Davis' future as Buckeyes linebackers coach uncertain -- and perhaps doubtful -- this is the position on the OSU roster with the most uncertainty entering 2019. While there's plenty of talent across the unit, the Buckeyes' linebackers coach -- whoever it is -- will have to do a better job of fitting the puzzle pieces than Davis did in 2019.

A former 5-star prospect, Baron Browning might be the best player of the bunch, but thus far has been miscast as a middle linebacker. The Buckeyes would be wise to move the Texas native to the outside sooner rather than later, with plenty of reps to go around for the likes of Tuf Borland, Malik Harrison and Pete Werner.

Veterans KeAndre Jones and Justin Hilliard should provide additional depth and redshirt freshman Teradja Mitchell possesses plenty of upside. But regardless of who it's coming from, there's no improvement on the OSU roster in need of more improvement this coming season than the team's linebackers.

Cornerback

1. Jeffrey Okudah, junior
2. Marcus Williamson, redshirt sophomore
3. Tyreke Johnson, redshirt freshman

Cornerback

1. Shaun Wade, junior
2. Sevyn Banks, redshirt sophomore

Former 5-star prospect Jeffrey Okudah appears poised for a breakout season a possesses first-round potential. The Buckeyes, however, will lack experience elsewhere at cornerback -- especially if Damon Arnette and Kendall Sheffield each opt to declare for the NFL Draft.

Should one of them -- presumably Sheffield -- opt to return, it would provide a big boost to the Ohio State secondary. Otherwise, the Buckeyes will be relying on a handful of inexperienced (albeit talented) players and Shaun Wade, who spent the majority of the 2018 season at safety.

Free safety

1. Brendon White, junior
2. Isaiah Pryor, junior
3. Josh Proctor, redshirt freshman

Strong safety

1. Jordan Fuller, senior
2. Amir Riep, junior
3. Jahsen Wint, redshirt junior
4. Marcus Hooker, redshirt freshman

Should Jordan Fuller opt to return to Ohio State for his senior season -- and all indications seem to be that he will --  safety could be one of the strongest positions on the Buckeyes' roster. Fuller would be entering his third season as a starter and has firmly established himself as one of OSU's team leaders, while Brendon White enjoyed a breakout season in 2018 after bouncing around positions on both sides of the ball.

In the event Fuller does leave, the Buckeyes are still stocked with plenty of talent, with Amir Riep or Isaiah Pryor likely being the next man up. Although he redshirted this past season, Josh Proctor arrived at Ohio State as one of the top safeties in the country and could be a player to keep an eye on for 2019.