Ohio State defensive lineman Dre’Mont Jones walks back to the line of scrimmage in the second quarter of the 2017 Cotton Bowl against University of Southern California on Dec. 29 in AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX. Ohio State won 24-7. Credit: Jack Westerheide | Photo Editor

Despite ending the season considered one of the highest-regarded defensive tackles in the nation, redshirt sophomore Dre’Mont Jones will return to Ohio State for his fourth year, he announced on Twitter. He was the No. 4 defensive tackle, according to ESPN’s Todd McShay.

Jones was recognized as a third-team All-Big Ten player after the end of the regular season. He emerged as the Buckeyes’ best interior defensive lineman, and finished the year with 20 tackles — 10 solo and 10 assisted — with five tackles for loss and a sack. He missed two games with an injury he suffered the Wednesday before the team’s game against Rutgers, in which he cut his leg on a locker and required surgery. He also was ejected for targeting against Michigan State.

Rejoining the Buckeyes, Jones figures to slide right into the starting defensive tackle position alongside redshirt sophomore Robert Landers. The pair will be backed up by redshirt freshman Malik Barrow, freshmen Haskell Garrett and Jerron Cage and redshirt sophomores Davon Hamilton and Jashon Cornell.