How three-star defensive lineman Eric Mensah can impact Ohio State’s front four

COLUMBUS, Ohio — For as much as Ohio State has brought in in the 2024 signing class at defensive end, recruiting at defensive tackle isn’t as highly regarded.

That’s because there was just one member of the defensive line class set to play on the interior.

Three-star defensive lineman Eric Mensah, of Stafford, Virginia, is the only interior prospect along the front four. Ohio State signed five-star defensive lineman Eddrick Houston and has a verbal commitment from four-star defensive end Dominic Kirks.

“A guy that came to camp, worked with (defensive line coach) Larry (Johnson), comes from a great family and Mountain View High School in Virginia,” coach Ryan Day said on signing day. “A strong player, had a good year, he’s played multiple positions in his high school career and brings a lot of versatility there.”

Mensah is 6-foot-3 and 290 pounds and can play both interior tackle spots. He’ll join a program with some talent already on the defensive line, and coming in as a lower-rated recruit (No. 784 in the 247Sports composite rankings), he’ll have to prove that he can make an impact with more touted prospects.

The outlook for Mensah, though, is a long-term one. He figures to have a redshirt season in his first with the program, as the Buckeyes return Tyleik Williams, Tywone Malone, Ty Hamilton and Hero Kanu.

Then, there’s promising rising second-year defensive tackle Jason Moore that will push to make an impact in 2024. In short, there’s too much veteran talent on the depth chart to expect Mensah to make much of an impact.

But if Mensah can develop into a useful defensive tackle, he’ll join a group of talented rush-ends that Ohio State has recruited like Houston and Kirks and create a formidable front. Ohio State brought in three defensive tackles in the 2023 class, but only one in the 24 class with Mensah.

Meaning, Mensah’s development could be remarkably important to the future of the Buckeye front.