Replacing 12 starters from a 12-0 regular-season team is a pressure test. But two weeks into Ohio State spring camp, pads are finally popping as the elite start to separate. And through five practices, three defensive names have stood out, starting with an Alabama transfer CB. 

Cameron Calhoun joined a CB room packed with buzzier names and fresher recruiting shine. Last season, he was at Alabama mostly with the special teams. His production wasn’t spectacular either, as he recorded just seven tackles, a pass breakup, and a fumble recovery. So for him to stand out among them is a huge step up. 

At the Woody Hayes Athletic Center, Cam Calhoun flashed physicality, maturity, and reliability. The 6’0, 176-pound Ohio native has a sturdy frame and veteran instincts that don’t panic when things speed up. He’s even the first to come up when a defensive staffer talked about revamping the secondary because he’s insurance with upside. That matters especially in a secondary that’s quietly being rebuilt piece by piece. But if you think Ohio State is leaning on experience alone, you’re wrong.

Cincere Johnson is still technically a freshman, but it’s not always about the label. This is an LB who exploded into a 5-star on Rivals in late January after jumping over 60 spots to land at No. 26 nationally. His senior high school stats speak for themselves, with 185 tackles and 13.5 sacks. Imagine the things he could do getting molded under DC Matt Patricia in a defensive powerhouse like Ohio State. 

The hype machine hasn’t fully caught up yet, maybe because Ohio State has been here before with elite freshmen. But behind the scenes, it’s building. Strength staffers are already throwing around comparisons to Arvell Reese, a likely first-round NFL talent. Even so, Cincere Johnson isn’t cracking the starting rotation tomorrow. 

Development is still in its infancy, but the key thing is he’s showing up early. So while the safe bet is special teams and spot duty this season, don’t be surprised if his role grows faster than expected because, through two weeks, he’s popping. And then there’s the guy who’s already done the waiting.

Earl Little Jr. is already in his fifth-year after spending time with Alabama and Florida State. But even then, there’s a difference between projecting impact and seeing it. But once the pads came on, he always proved himself. 

Little’s physicality, confidence, and willingness to hit that instantly set the tone in the secondary room. With Caleb Downs gone, Ohio State needed clarity at safety, and now they seem to be getting certainty. With him and Jaylen McClain, the back end feels like a foundation. This evolution highlights a key aspect of the program: the Buckeyes’ culture is already sorting out who’s ready to contribute.

Ohio State newcomers begin separating early

This spring, 51 new players walked into the program with black stripes on their helmets. The only way to lose them was to earn them. It’s a tradition started by Urban Meyer and carried forward by Ryan Day, and it still means something inside that building. Saturday morning delivered the first cuts, and as expected, it wasn’t the freshmen leading the charge.

Transfer WR Kyle Parker got his stripe removed, an early signal that he’s not just depth in a loaded WR room, but a legitimate contender for snaps. Ryan Day has already hinted that this group might be the deepest he’s had, and Parker earning trust this early is not a small detail. But the more telling move came on defense.

Let’s come back to Earl Little Jr., who was also among the first to lose his stripe. If his on-field work hadn’t already made a statement, this sealed it. He already has Florida State experience with 91 tackles, four interceptions, and two forced fumbles, and was named second-team All-ACC. Now he’s translating it to Ohio State. All these are signals that the Buckeyes are identifying their guys early as the competition starts to narrow. It also signals that, two weeks in, the defense is starting to find its identity.