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Ohio State seeks defense rebuild under coordinator Matt Patricia for 2026

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jul 26, 2026, 1:31 PM

Last updated Jul 26, 2026

Ohio State seeks defense rebuild under coordinator Matt Patricia for 2026

Summary

Ohio State Buckeyes defensive coordinator Matt Patricia is tasked with rebuilding the defense for the 2026 season after losing seven starters, including top NFL draft picks Arvell Reese and Caleb Downs. The Buckeyes’ defense was crucial to their 2025 national championship success and ranked number one nationally. Patricia previously demonstrated his ability to construct a top defense amid heavy turnover, which has earned him a high salary as Ohio State's highest-paid assistant coach. The program's prospects rest heavily on how well he can integrate transfers and new talent into the scheme.

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By the Numbers

•Seven Ohio State defenders were drafted, including top-10 picks Reese and Styles.
•Patricia became the highest-paid assistant coach in college football at $3.75 million.
•Kenyatta Jackson Jr. and Eddrick Houston will serve as key returnees on defense.
•Ohio State finished 2025 ranked first in total, passing, and scoring defense.
•Jaylen McClain, a sophomore, is emerging as a leader in the secondary.

Latest Updates

1:31 PMYahoo Sports — Can Matt Patricia pull off the rebuild twice? Inside Ohio State’s wide open 2026 defense

What they're saying

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Ohio State just lost three top-11 picks off the nation's best defense. Here's why the computers, and the players themselves, still aren't worried.
— Yahoo Sports

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