OSU POSITION OUTLOOK: DEFENSIVE TACKLES

Projected starter (height, weight, classification) | Career starts at OSU Darrion Daniels (6-3, 300, Jr.) | 0

Trey Carter (6-3, 295, Jr.) | 0 Backups (height, weight, classification) DeQuinton Osborne (6-0, 305, Sr.)

Taaj Bakari (6-1, 305, So.) Enoch Smith (6-2, 295, Jr) Ben Hughes (6-1, 325, Sr.) Cameron Murray (6-2, 290, Fr.)

Brandon Evers (6-2, 290, Fr.) Latu Maile (6-1, 305, So.) Scouting ahead

•This season: The Cowboys are dealing with turnover at tackle, losing Vincent Taylor and Mote Maile, who posted every start at the position a year ago. Still, there’s optimism. Osborne has played and provides and big body run-stopper in the middle. Coaches believe it’s Daniels’ time to shine. And Carter has thrived in a move from end to the inside. There’s depth, too. Smith played as a freshman at Michigan State. Bakari is a young player who has made an impression and there are more youngsters making noise. “There’s a lot of potential guys,” said defensive line coach Joe Bob Clements. “The depth chart is going to have to sort itself out at the end of the month.”

•The future: Osborne and Hughes are seniors, but the bulk of what should be a deep rotation will return, including the starters in Daniels and Carter. Coaches like the potential of the young players, who could be ready for a significant role in the rotation by 2018. Still, the Cowboys will be looking to add in recruiting. They’re looking for immediate help in junior college target Tayland Humphrey. On the prep level, they’re trying to woo former Ole Miss commit Israel Antwine of Millwood and have offers out to at least three tackles in Texas.

JOHN HELSLEY, STAFF WRITER