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2025 tOSU Defense Discussion

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Bestbuck36 said:
I think the Defense is going to kick ass again next year. The DT strength is what will make or break us. 92 and 97 are going to wreak havoc for sure and the secondary is going to be elite again. Just have to be huge up the middle.
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I was thinking about this and it occurred to me the one consistent thread between 2002,2014 and 2024 were dominant interior DL play.

Lots of other stuff has to be there to win a NC obviously but we never did it with just great DE play or great secondary etc.

Something to consider.
 
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Jaxbuck said:
I was thinking about this and it occurred to me the one consistent thread between 2002,2014 and 2024 were dominant interior DL play.

Lots of other stuff has to be there to win a NC obviously but we never did it with just great DE play or great secondary etc.

Something to consider.
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Everyone in the recruiting forum probably thinks I'm way too obsessed with DTs, but this is exactly why. Thank God that Tyleik and Hamilton came back not only for this team, but also to allow our younger guys time to develop while getting quality reps. I'm very high on McDonald and Houston. A combination of Malone, Moore, Mensah and/or Smith Jr. will have to make the next step.

On the edge, very confident in Curry and Jackson as starters. Depth is a question mark behind them, but I I think Grady has a chance as a frosh to come in and play significant minutes.

Agreed the secondary should be elite again and LB is going to be interesting. Styles improved lightyears as the season went on and I think he is going to have a great senior campaign. Hicks really, really has to make the next step and I would be surprised if he didn't. Reese definitely showed signs that he can be a good one. Plus we have a VERY good class coming in at LB and I think at least one of Pettijohn, Alford or Lee push for serious PT.

We have plenty of talented pieces, just have to see how the leadership plays out with all the seniors departing.
 
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scarletngray said:
I think Houston just passed him up on the depth chart. But hoping he makes a name for himself this year. We really need him to step up.
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We really do. I think McDonald we know is strong inside but we don’t know anything about anyone else inside. Sure we think Houston is going to be good in the mold of Dremond Jones but he’s young.

hopefully we look for help in the portal after the spring because the DL in general doesn’t have a ton of proven depth.

Overall though I’m interested to see how we play this next year. Knowing what’s returning id think you’d see more blitzing and odd fronts to get an extra Lb on the field (heard they love Payton Pierce).
 
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CMic said:
Interweb rumors of Matt Patricia for DC. Thoughts?
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Interesting fit for two reasons.

His use of multiple fronts at the NFL level, something we're told was a point of contention between LJ and Knowles.

Pretty heavy man-coverage coach off single high designs, similar to Knowles. Worked pretty well when N.E. had Revis and then Gilmore. They could get creative with match and safety leverage away from them. Wonder how he might implement that at the college level, especially a place like tOSU recruiting quality DBs.
 
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Buckeneye said:
Interesting fit for two reasons.

His use of multiple fronts at the NFL level, something we're told was a point of contention between LJ and Knowles.

Pretty heavy man-coverage coach off single high designs, similar to Knowles. Worked pretty well when N.E. had Revis and then Gilmore. They could get creative with match and safety leverage away from them. Wonder how he might implement that at the college level, especially a place like tOSU recruiting quality DBs.
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I know many hate this hire. I’m willing to see how this plays out before saying much.

We were moving toward a more diverse front and I think this hire accomplishes that move. Also, he’s coached years in the NFL and whether you admit it or not he had some good defense. He wasn’t a great head coach but he’s had success at the highest level as a coordinator.

Finally, I tend to think the NFL coaches more often than not run circles around college coaches when it comes to X and Os. NFL coaches also are use to never having a heavy talent advantage with every week being a battle. So I’d imagine that’ll serve him well vs the better teams.

Where it doesn’t make sense is now it’s a new system and how long is he really going to stay if he does well? So is it worth flipping the system over for 1-2 years?
 
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