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- Thread starter ScriptOhio
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I know this is a bold statement, but that is the best defensive depth chart I have seen at OSU since I have been alive and can remember. Not really too bold though when you recall that we are returning almost everyone on a defense that was #1 in the nation or close in about every category. Then you add the best safety in the nation in Downs, plenty of talented guys with extra development and experience (Curry, Jackson, McDonald, Hicks, Mathews, list goes on), and some really good frosh that probably won't get called on much this year if we are healthy, but are game ready imo (Scott, West and Houston are the first to come to mind). After so many years of lackluster defenses, seeing a defense this skilled is exciting.
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Be careful of your heart before reading this, but that entire defensive first team is eligible to play yet again except Simon and Ransom of I'm reading that right? They could all play 2 more years??
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That evokes some fun “what if” conversations, certainly. But ask yourself; did you believe, even as you typed that, that there is a legitimate chance for much more than those “what ifs”?
I will gladly take part in those speculations when the time comes. It’s fun to think about, even if it will never come together like that again (like it did in 1973).
But this defense still has some IFs of its own imho.
IF the starting ends BOTH play all the way up to their potential (they haven’t yet and it’s not a given that they will)
IF the new LB coach turns out to be what many of us (including me) expect he will be AND he gets the LBs to play all the way up to their enormous athletic potential
IF the injury bug remains in hibernation
That is the shortest list of IFs I’ve seen for an Ohio State defense in decades; but they are the only things standing in the way of this being one of the two best defenses in Ohio State history
IF these things all pan out, there’s no way they all come back. That’s not controversial; we all know it. Subtitling the obvious is just another service I offer.
So let’s just enjoy this one while it lasts
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Definitely knew there was no chance in that happening, it's just ridiculous to see how good they are and not all be seniors in college
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ScriptOhio
Everybody is somebody else's weirdo.
“Our DBs are BIA, best in America,” defensive coordinator Jim Knowles said. “We led the country in pass defense (in 2023), I think it was 96th when I got here, and it was No. 1 last year. So they’ve taken that spirit. It’s a competitive spirit, it’s an expectation now. It doesn’t matter who we’re going with, they view it as a standard.”
“We have to play depth, and it was good to see Jermaine get in there a little bit at nickel,” Ryan Day said. “Jordan (Hancock) is going to be the starting nickel in there, but he can jump out to corner, so that gives us some flexibility. Then seeing Calvin out there as well, and the other guy who had a really good spring until he had to have a little procedure done out of caution is Lorenzo Styles (Jr.).”
“When you have corners you can count on that are going to compete all the time no matter what the situation is – and we’ve developed that – it changes the way you call the entire game,” Knowles said. “You’re able to leave those guys on an island. You’re able to switch up coverages. They know what they’re doing and they take great pride in it.”
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ScriptOhio
Everybody is somebody else's weirdo.
College football rankings: Projecting 2024 eight strongest defenses
Based on returning talent and key offseason additions, these defensive units should flourish.
1. MICHIGAN WOLVERINES
2. OHIO STATE BUCKEYES
Best returning defensive player: Denzel Burke, CB
Biggest offseason departure: Tommy Eichenberg, LB
Top roster addition: Caleb Downs, S, Alabama
It all starts with bookends Jack Sawyer and J.T. Tuimoloau for the Buckeyes, who are loaded on defense without a weakness under Jim Knowles. This should be Ohio State's best secondary in several years after swiping the best available defensive player from the portal (Downs) and convincing Burke and a few others to return. The star-studded cornerback group of Burke, Davison Igbinosun and Jordan Hancock is the Big Ten's and one of the top units in the country.
3. IOWA HAWKEYES
4. OREGON DUCKS
5. GEORGIA BULLDOGS
6. CLEMSON TIGERS
7. NOTRE DAME FIGHTING IRISH
8. NEBRASKA HUSKERS
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Especially being ranked behind the cheaters. That's some bulletin board material right there.
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2 groups that flashed were the DL and DBs. they are deep and VERY talented. I would not be mad if guys like Matthews, Bonsu, CSH were forced to start. Same with guys like Houston, KJjr, Curry, Moore, Kanu and McDonald.
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I was very happy with what I saw on the DL. We know what we have with JT, Jack and Hamilton, but a ton of guys flashed enough to make me think we've got plenty of talent across the board there. Not saying I'm overly surprised, but there just seems to be a lot of improvement there. At DB I fully expected it though but it was really impressive.
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I also liked the creativity that Knowles/LJsr showed. 5 man front, JT and Jack lined up side by side, moving guys around, etc. Now let’s hope this continues during the actual season
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RugbyBuck
Our church has no bells.
I think there's more talent across the board now, but we've also had talented guys before and almost criminally failed to develop and coach them. Knowles & Co. are GETTING IT DONE. I LOVE seeing younger guys come in and ball and it's also good for recruiting. That doesn't happen unless they're up to speed. I feel like we would see individual players making the system knowledge jump before, but now we're seeing whole rooms executing.
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