I always thought that LB was where he was headed anyways, with the injuries it makes even more sense for the move (and the depth we have at safety).
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scarletngray
Gold Pants
Me thinks that we might just have the makings of something special this year.
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OHIO STATE MUST STRIKE THE RIGHT BALANCE BETWEEN PLAYING BEST PLAYERS, SUBSTITUTING EFFECTIVELY TO MAXIMIZE DEFENSIVE POTENTIAL
Going into his first season as Ohio State’s defensive coordinator, Jim Knowles said he wouldn’t rotate much at linebacker and defensive back, believing that continuity at those positions would yield the best results.
Entering his second year with the Buckeyes, and recognizing his depth of talent at Ohio State is more significant than what he had at Oklahoma State and other previous coaching stops, Knowles has indicated that philosophy could change in 2023.
“I think you get to The Ohio State, you realize there are a lot of guys with a lot of skills that you should find roles for,” Knowles said in May.
Ohio State certainly seems to have a lot of defensive players who fit that description going into the 2023 season. Tommy Eichenberg and Steele Chambers return as the Buckeyes’ starting linebackers, but Knowles has said he expects Cody Simon and C.J. Hicks to have roles this season, too. Denzel Burke and Lathan Ransom are the only returning starters in the secondary. Still, Jordan Hancock and Davison Igbinosun are both making a strong case to start opposite Burke at cornerback. At the same time, Ja’Had Carter, Sonny Styles, Cameron Martinez and Josh Proctor are all candidates to earn regular playing time alongside Ransom at safety.
Striking the right balance between having the best 11 players on the field and making smart substitutions to match up schematically with opponents could be a key for Ohio State’s defense to perform up to its potential and play well enough to win a championship in 2023.
While Eichenberg and Chambers should be one of college football’s top starting linebacker tandems, that doesn’t necessarily mean they should both be on the field every snap as they were for most of last season. Beyond the possibility of rotating Simon and Hicks in to keep the starters fresh, Ohio State could potentially bolster its coverage in clear passing situations by subbing out one of its starting linebackers for someone like Hicks (who played safety in high school), recently converted safety Kourt Williams or even Styles, who certainly has the size to play linebacker situationally at 6-foot-4 and 230 pounds.
Ohio State Must Strike the Right Balance Between Playing Best Players, Substituting Effectively to Maximize Defensive Potential
Finding the right balance between playing the best 11 starters and making smart substitutions will be important for Jim Knowles’ defense to perform up to its potential in 2023.
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scarletngray
Gold Pants
Been hearing that Arvelle Reese has really blown up size wise and might project as a DE in the future.
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That wouldn't shock me, he had a massive frame coming out of HS and I think we could use him more there (or some hybrid). I saw him as having a Thaddeus Gibson build, Probably don't need to decide this year though, just keep working on developing good weight and nutrition, then everything will sort itself out.
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I thought he was always projected as a DE.
I also thought that Gabe Powers would possibly become a DE too(though I see him staying at LB)
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scarletngray
Gold Pants
Indeed, and throw in Mitchell Melton as well who could pressure off the edge. All three are part of the reason we don't need to go into panic mode.
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Captain Buckeye
Assistant Coach
There’s so much we can do for the front 7 guys…
We can go 4 down or we can go 3 down with Mitchell/Styles/Hicks as a rush.
That’s not even including getting guys like Simon or Powers on the field. Let alone moving a guy like Reese down as well (which he will).
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Agreed!
I guess, that's why I wasn't so concerned about the recruiting whiffs at DE in 2023, because OSU has such a logjam at the DE/Jack, and we still need to see if LJsr and Knowles can get on the same page with how that position will be utilized. I'd take the depth OSU has over trying to insert unknown highly rated DL. Especially since it would seem like they would waste their talent if their confused over who to use where now
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2023 DE recruiting concerned me a little, but not so much if we bounced back with a good 2024 class, but that is looking ominous right now. Still plenty of time there though, so it is a wait and see situation.
But I do agree in the immediate future there is really no concern. JT, Sawyer, Curry, Abor (when he gets back) and Jackson should be a very good unit. And Mickens probably redshirts, but he was a hell of a good pickup in '23 that should be a great player here at DE after he bulks up a little. Plus the depth at DT is really going to help the DE's.
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Feeling like the SBOTD just rotates to a new player every day. That's cool if they are blowing up but we got no time for blowing smoke coach. Bring the pain this year please!
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Bill Lucas
Assistant Coach
If the reports of the improvements in the back end of the defense and the Styles hype are true the ability to cover for 1-2 seconds more will allow the front 7 to wreak havoc on the opposing offense. That and defending the fucking run against power teams.
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