Freshmen spicing up OSU defensive line

Regardless of what is taking place off the football field, preseason camp is moving along for Ohio State on the field.

After 13 days, including the first full scrimmage Saturday, insiders told The Dispatch that there have been interesting developments defensively, with several involving players from the 2018 recruiting class.

The freshmen who have made their presence felt most are the defensive line, the insiders said. Defensive tackles Tommy Togiai, who enrolled in January, and Taron Vincent, who arrived in June, have impressed from the start of camp.

The insiders also said that freshman defensive end Tyreke Smith, also a June arrival, appears to be getting the hang of things quickly in a unit that, headlined by probable starters Nick Bosa and Chase Young along with Jonathan Cooper, needs the infusion of depth.

At safety, sophomore Isaiah Pryor continues to be a probable first-day starter. In competition for the spot vacated by Damon Webb from last season, third-year sophomore Jahsen Wint has risen dramatically from the spring, the insiders agreed.

At the other open spot in the secondary, the cornerback opposite returning starter Damon Arnette, the competition between Jeffrey Okudah and Kendall Sheffield is too close to call, insiders said. But with OSU often employing five defensive backs, both will see considerable playing time.

At linebacker, junior Malik Harrison and looks strong and confident at one of the outside spots, and Keandre Jones seems to be competing with Pete Werner for No. 1 on the other side.

In the middle, Baron Browning and Justin Hilliard picked up their competition where it left off in the spring as they work to replace returning starter Tuf Borland, still on the mend from the Achilles' tendon injury he suffered in the spring. Stirring things up a bit in the middle, insiders said, is Teradja Mitchell. He had the black stripe removed from his helmet, signifying he is considered a contender for playing time.