Better Know a Buckeye: Eric Mensah is A Defensive Tackle Project with the Tools to Develop Into Impactful 3-Technique

In arguably the quickest recruitment of the cycle, Eric Mensah went from not being offered by Ohio State after camping in Columbus during the summer of 2023 to receiving an offer and flipping his commitment to the Buckeyes within the first few weeks of last season.

Mensah, the No. 90 defensive lineman (No. 795 overall) in the 2024 class, brings plenty of size and depth to Ohio State's interior defensive line as the only defensive tackle in the Buckeyes’ 2024 recruiting class.

How He Became a Buckeye

Mensah committed to Virginia Tech on July 17, 2023, eager to play near his hometown of Stafford, Virginia. At that point in his recruitment, he expected to be a Hokie, but that all changed following an official visit to Ohio State for its home opener against Youngstown State on Sept. 9.

It was on that trip to Columbus that Mensah earned the offer he wanted all along. Larry Johnson and company began to take notice of the Virginia product when Mensah attended an Ohio State camp during the summer of 2023, where an impressive performance prompted Johnson to keep in contact with Mensah.

Just six days after receiving his offer from Johnson, Mensah decommitted from Virginia Tech and committed to Ohio State.

Mensah was expected to be a complementary piece on the interior of the defensive line in the 2024 class, joining five-star defensive tackle Justin Scott. But when Scott flipped his commitment to Miami, Mensah became the lone defensive tackle in the cycle and one of just three total defensive linemen in the class along with Eddrick Houston and Dominic Kirks.

He became the first Virginia prospect to sign with OSU since TreVeyon Henderson and Tyleik Williams in the 2021 cycle.

High School Years

Mensah was a consistent menace on the defensive line for Mountain View, starting on varsity for all four years of his prep career. It's something that his coach took notice of throughout his four years of high school.

“Pretty early on, I knew he had a shot to play Power Five football. We don’t start too many freshmen," Mountain View head coach Lou Sorrentino told Eleven Warriors of Mensah. "Physically, he could do it. But at least by his sophomore year, all those guys that came in to see (four-star 2024 linebacker) Kris (Jones), we made sure also checked out Eric and most of them really liked him.”

While Mensah took up plenty of double teams from opposing offensive linemen, he used his strength and speed to continue to make plays.

“He’s a big kid that can run,” Sorrentino said. “He’s about 6-foot-3, 300 pounds, he’s been a four-year starter for us. He just learns and grows each year as far as the game is concerned. He’s been a super kid to coach. He’s outgoing, always has a big smile on his face and if there’s a big dance party, he’s usually in the middle of it. He’s beloved by everybody. As a football player, he’s got those traits you look for. We move him all around the line, he can pass rush, he can stuff the run, he’ll chase down the ballcarrier and he plays hard. Like I said, he’s been a coach’s dream for us.” 

Mensah turned in an outstanding season as a junior, notching eight sacks and three forced fumbles.

Eric Mensah played nose tackle this spring, which he also played in high school. As a run stopper, he isn't just a block occupier. pic.twitter.com/f9iyew6cZL

— Tony Gerdeman (@TonyGerdeman) May 20, 2024

In his senior season, Mensah helped lead Mountain View High School (Stafford, Virginia), to an 11-1 record. Mensah said he improved all aspects of his game from the start of the year to the end of his final high school season, one in which he was named the Commonwealth District Defensive Player of the Year and earned Class 6 Region B Defensive Player of the Year honors.

“One of the biggest things I’ve gained this year, when I watch film, I now know what to note. I know what to see, and I know what to watch,” Mensah said. “I know how to catch (tendencies) on what people are doing to have you know where the play is going. Also my conditioning, from side to side. I know whatever I do in practice really reflects what I do in the game, so I really make sure I do really well at practice. Otherwise, it’s going to reflect that in the game.”

Six point sensation! Second touchdown of the season more to come!!!! Who do you know that is 300 Ibs running 77 yards!!!!!!#scoopandscore #GoBucks @OhioStateFB @R2X_Rushmen1 @MVHS_SPORTS @TheViewFootball @OhioStAthletics pic.twitter.com/T1sRmbhMAY

— Eric Mensah (@EricMen85258722) October 17, 2023

Throughout his time in high school and especially his senior campaign, Mensah was adept at creating havoc in the opposing team's backfield, consistently shedding blocks to ruin running plays and record tackles for loss. At times, he would even chase down ballcarriers who were already a few yards away from him, as his speed is above average for someone of his size.

Immediate Impact

An early enrollee, Mensah got a head start on his Ohio State career this spring. That said, he will be a developmental project for Larry Johnson.

Given his current 6-foot-3, 290-pound frame, Mensah is expected to be a 3-tech for the Buckeyes. But with Tyleik Williams, Hero Kanu and Jason Moore likely making up the three-deep at that position this year alongside Ty Hamilton, Kayden McDonald and Tywone Malone at nose tackle, Mensah has plenty of time to develop, both on and off the field.

He's ready to do just that.

“One of the things that I’m really looking forward to is the development and the change that I’ll see when I’m there physically,” Mensah said. “And being around a new type of brotherhood. I can just tell the brotherhood over there is really good. I’m just excited for all of that.”

He continued that sentiment just before arriving in Columbus as an early enrollee.

“My first semester, I want to set myself up high,” Mensah said in December. “I want a 4.0 GPA my first semester. I also want to see a change in myself being more independent now, so when I come back home, it’ll be like, ‘Oh, Eric is different physically, mentally and spiritually.’ ...It’ll be a dream come true to play in college and participate in spring ball. Especially coming in early to practice, condition and lift.”

Long-Term Impact

While Williams is entering his final year of eligibility and Hamilton and Malone are also seniors, Mensah remains likely to be a backup in 2025 considering the amount of talent that will still be returning for Ohio State. That said, he could earn a spot on the three-deep in his second season as a Buckeye before making a bigger push for playing time in 2026, especially if he takes advantage of his work ethic and continues to develop while learning from Johnson and company.

By the time Mensah is an upperclassman, Ohio State hopes he will be ready to make an impact in the 3-technique rotation as a playmaking penetrator on the inside.

Player Comparison: Tracy Sprinkle

After redshirting as a freshman, Sprinkle saw limited playing time as a depth piece in his following three years at Ohio State. The 6-foot-3, 293-pound defensive tackle broke out as a fifth-year senior in 2017, appearing in all 14 games while totaling 16 tackles and three tackles for loss.

Sprinkle was signed by the Carolina Panthers as an undrafted free agent in 2018 and also spent time with the Cleveland Browns and Houston Texans but never appeared in an NFL regular-season game.

Mensah faces an uphill battle for playing time early in his career like Sprinkle had, but he’ll look to establish himself as a reliable depth player in his first two to three years as a Buckeye before breaking out to play a bigger role later in his career.