For the first time in three years, the safety position for the Ohio State Buckeyes is completely open heading into the season. After losing star safety Caleb Downs to the NFL and the Dallas Cowboys, head coach Ryan Day and defensive coordinator Matt Patricia are trying to rebuild one of the most important spots on the defense. After 15 spring practices, the battle for the starting jobs is still very close.

The main players competing for the safety spots are returning starter Jaylen McClain and transfer additions Earl Little Jr. and Terry Moore. All three have impressed during spring practice and are expected to play major roles this season. Ohio State coaches believe the group has enough talent to remain one of the top safety units in college football, even after losing Downs.

Earl Little Jr. at nickel

Little has been one of the biggest standouts of the spring. The former Florida State Seminoles and Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back quickly earned praise from coaches and teammates. He even had his black stripe removed after only five practices, showing how fast he adjusted to the program. The college football’s best athlete, Jeremiah Smith, gave a nod to Earl and believes he’ll make some big-plays for the Buckeyes.

“He’s gonna hit, he’s gonna make plays. He’s gonna be very special for us, that’s all I can say,” Smith said of Little.

Although Little missed the spring game because of a minor knee cleanup procedure, Ryan Day said the injury is not serious and he should return for summer workouts. Ryan Day and the safety coach were especially impressed by how fast and aggressive he played during their spring practices.

“Plays fast, plays twitchy, communicates well,” Day praised. “Did a great job in the weight room with Mick (Marotti). “First time we’re tackling and scrimmaging, he’s the first guy showing up, making tackles and making plays, and just jumped off the screen right out of the gate.”

Little’s expected to spend most of his time at nickel, but he also has experience playing free safety and strong safety, so the Buckeyes has no problem when they need to when it comes to flexibility at safety.

Terry Moore & Leroy Roker going toe- to-toe at Free Safety

Another important battle involves Terry Moore and Leroy Roker III. Early in spring practice, Roker appeared to have the edge for the starting free safety job and received many first-team reps.

Coaches have always believed he was underrated coming out of high school, and safeties coach Matt Guerrieri praised his growth this spring. Even if he does not win the starting job, Roker’s still expected to play important snaps in dime packages and other defensive rotations.

Moore finished spring much stronger and eventually earned the starting nod in the spring game. The former Duke Blue Devils safety was rated by Pro Football Focus as one of the top safeties in college football before suffering a torn ACL that forced him to miss the entire 2025 season. Coaches believe his slow start during spring practice was simply because he was returning from injury. Then again, it should not surprise anybody if Roker finds himself in the starting gig when September comes.

Jaylen McClain, the next Caleb Downs?

McClain may end up being the most important player in the group. Last season, he quietly became one of the Buckeyes’ most reliable defenders, recording 53 tackles and playing strong coverage. Now, with Downs gone, McClain is expected to become the leader of the secondary. The Buckeyes want him to be the leader of the DB room and help them with communication duties on-and-off the field.

Ohio State also has pretty strong depth behind the top three safeties. Roker could become the first player off the bench if he doesn’t get the starter’s nod. Then, freshman Blaine Bradford impressed Matt Patricia during his first spring practices.

According to Eleven Warriors, the Buckeyes might probably use cornerbacks at nickel, including freshman Na’eem Offord and starter Jermaine Mathews Jr., if it comes to that, based on the situation of the game.

Needless to say, even without Caleb Downs, Ohio State believes its defense can still be one of the best in the country if McClain, Little, and Moore cash in on the potential they showed throughout the spring practices.