Despite Tyleik Williams' available status, Tywone Malone is getting a starting opportunity on Saturday.
The Buckeyes went with the Ole Miss transfer to open their game against Michigan State on Saturday as Williams works his way back from an undisclosed injury that held him out in Week 4 against Marshall.
Malone was the third 3-technique defensive tackle into the game in Williams' stead against the Thundering Herd, but his performance outshined the two players ahead of him, Hero Kanu and Jason Moore. Malone made three tackles with one tackle for loss, not including a fourth-down stop where Marshall quarterback Stone Earle fell at Malone's feet.
A redshirt junior, Malone spent 2021 and 2022 playing both football and baseball for the Rebels before transferring to Ohio State. He made minimal impact in 2023, picking up five tackles in seven games.
Williams warmed up with the Buckeyes' second-team defense before kickoff.
