Ohio State Football Status Report: Tyleik Williams Out Against Marshall, Donovan Jackson Returns

Star 3-technique defensive tackle Tyleik Williams will miss the Buckeyes' game against the Thundering Herd, but left guard Donovan Jackson is back on the offensive line.

Ohio State was expected to emerge from its third week off with a clean bill of health after Ryan Day said Tuesday that Jackson was “ready to go,” but now the Buckeyes will have to rely on their defensive tackle position.

Williams' injury was not disclosed, but he was seen resting his shoulder during Ohio State's game against Western Michigan in Week 2.

Hero Kanu was the first 3-technique player off the bench for the Buckeyes, playing 16 snaps, the second-most among 3-technique players behind Williams. However, Kayden McDonald has emerged as the third-best DT overall with four tackles and a pass breakup in 34 snaps. He has played primarily as a nose tackle, but could also be an option at 3-tech, as could starting nose guard Ty Hamilton.

Caden Curry has played some 3-techs in special pass-rush packages for Ohio State, which could opt for that technique more often on third down against Marshall without Williams. Jason Moore reportedly made big strides in the 3-technique this spring, while Will Smith Jr. and Tywone Malone could also be candidates for more playing time without Williams.

Williams is the only Ohio State scholarship player unavailable for the game against Marshall. The only other players unavailable are walk-on running backs TC Caffey and Rashid SeSay, with Caffey out for the rest of the season with a knee injury.

With Jackson's return, Ohio State will have a full starting offensive line for the first time in 2024, although Austin Siereveld has filled in superbly at left guard in the first two games. With Jackson, who has been a starter for 26 games over the past two years, back in the starting lineup, the Buckeyes will look to maintain the run block that paved the way for 273 yards at seven yards per carry in Week 2 against Western Michigan.