NEBRASKA NOTEBOOK: JEFF OKUDAH MAKES TWO INTERCEPTIONS, BARON BROWNING HAS CAREER GAME, JOSHUA ALABI FILLS IN AT RIGHT TACKLE AND J.K. DOBBINS CLIMBS OHIO STATE'S ALL-TIME RUSHING LIST
BROWNING MAKES HIS PRESENCE FELT
Baron Browning isn’t Ohio State’s starting middle linebacker yet, but the way he played against Nebraska on Saturday night is going to make it increasingly difficult to keep him off the field.
While rotating in and out of the lineup with Tuf Borland in Saturday’s game, Browning consistently made his presence felt when he was on the field, recording seven total tackles – tied with Malik Harrison for the team lead against the Cornhuskers, and his most in a single game in his career to date – including two tackles for loss.
After two underwhelming seasons to start his Ohio State career, Browning has consistently flashed this season with his explosive speed to the ball and powerful tackling, showing why he was ranked as the top linebacker in the recruiting class of 2017.
“I look at all of our guys that are getting better every week, and Baron is another one,” co-defensive coordinator Greg Mattison said after the game. “He's a tremendously talented athlete, a great person, great character. And he just every day works as hard as he can and tries to do what he's supposed to do.”
Borland has started every game at middle linebacker so far this season, and the Buckeyes could be reluctant to take him out of the starting lineup, given that he is a second-year captain and regarded as one of the team’s best leaders. Browning has cut into Borland’s playing time significantly, though, and made more plays when he has been on the field, which ensures that he will continue to see plenty of snaps regardless of who takes the first snaps going forward.
Noticeably, Borland was the only starter still on the field at the beginning of Ohio State’s final defensive series of the game in the fourth quarter, though Browning also saw playing time on that series.
Entire article:
https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio...er-game-joshua-alabi-fills-in-at-right-tackle
What a different new DCs (Hafley & Mattison) and/or linebacker coach (Washington) makes.......