Brett Ludwiczak
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Ohio State’s linebackers are returning to glory under James Laurinaitis
Brett Ludwiczak via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Robin Alam/ISI Photos/Getty Images
2025 will be an exciting time to keep tabs on the Buckeye linebackers with James Laurinaitis’ impact on the unit.
Chris Spielman, A.J. Hawk, Andy Katzenmoyer. Those are just a few legendary linebackers in Ohio State history. Now another former Buckeye great at the position is working to restore the glory at linebacker in Columbus.
Since joining Ryan Day’s coaching staff a couple years ago, James Laurinaitis has the unit brimming with confidence.
During the final few years of Urban Meyer’s tenure as head coach, as well as the first two seasons with Day at the helm, the Ohio State linebackers were largely underwhelming. It didn’t help that Billy Davis was hired as linebackers coach just because he was friends with Meyer since it became obvious that Davis was terrible at his job. With the low bar Davis set, Al Washington was able to skate by on Day’s staff for three seasons.
The ineffective coaching at the position resulted in Tuf Borland becoming a running joke when he was on the field. While it’s hard to knock Borland’s effort during his time in Columbus, he just couldn’t match up to the standard guys like Ryan Shazier and Raekwon McMillan had recently set.
Others like Pete Werner and Baron Browning have gone on to be successful in the NFL, which proves the coaches during at Ohio State during that time period weren’t utilizing players correctly.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25984903/2187039174.jpg "Indiana v Ohio State")
Photo by Jason Mowry/Getty Images
Enter James Laurinaitis. After spending a couple years on the radio, the former Buckeye linebacker jumped into the coaching ranks, joining friend and fellow linebacker Marcus Freeman at Notre Dame as a graduate assistant and assistant linebackers coach.
When Freeman brought Laurinaitis in it felt like a huge miss for Day since it was no secret that Laurinaitis was looking to get back into the game in some capacity. The move look to bring in Laurinaitis looked like an even bigger coup since the linebacker’s first game on staff with the Fighting Irish would be against Ohio State in Columbus to kick off the 2022 season.
The way the 2022 season ended for the Buckeyes left a sour taste in Day and new defensive coordinator Jim Knowles’ mouth. Ohio State lost to Georgia 42-41 at the Peach Bowl in a College Football Playoff semifinal. Combine the loss to the Bulldogs with allowing 45 points to Michigan in the previous game and it became obvious reinforcements were needed.
Day made good on his miss the previous year and was able to lure Laurinaitis back to Columbus to learn under Knowles. The move paid immediate dividends, as the Buckeye defense gave up more than 20 points in just one game in 2023. Unfortunately that occurred in the loss to Michigan, which led to Ohio State being left out of the College Football Playoff.
After spending 2023 as a graduate assistant, Laurinaitis was promoted to linebackers coach ahead of the 2024 season. Even in the short time that Laurinaitis had been back with the football program, the influence he had on the linebackers became obvious.
Not only was Cody Simon playing with confidence as he replaced Tommy Eichenberg as the senior leader of the group, Laurinaitis was able to start molding Sonny Styles, who was moved to linebacker from safety. Both Simon and Styles recorded at least 100 tackles last year. Simon would go on to be selected in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft by the Arizona Cardinals.
Now that Simon is in the pros, Styles now will be the leader of the linebackers in 2025. After excelling in his first full season at linebacker, an even bigger jump is expected from the Pickerington product since he’ll have another offseason to work with Laurinaitis. Joining Styles will be Arvell Reese, who impressed last season.
It’s clear that Laurinaitis is putting together a strong group of players behind Styles with Reese, as well as underclassmen Riley Pettijohn and Payton Pierce. Not even on campus yet are 2026 four-star commits Simeon Caldwell and C.J. Sanna.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25984905/2169390138.jpg "COLLEGE FOOTBALL: AUG 31 Akron at Ohio State")
Photo by Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
With the Ohio State defensive line featuring so many new starters in 2025, even more will be expected from the linebackers this season. This is the kind of situation Laurinaitis has to love. You know he is going to challenge his players to raise up to the moment since he would relish situations like this as a player.
Along with being such a fierce competitor, Laurinaitis is an also a tremendous human being, which are two things he’ll expect his players to be. Since returning to his alma mater, there has definitely been an increase in confidence and heart shown by Buckeye linebackers.
Much like what Brian Hartline has shown since become a part of the coaching staff, Laurinaitis looks like he is in it for the long haul in Columbus. Despite Ryan Day bringing in Matt Patricia to replace Knowles as defensive coordinator, it feels like only a matter of time before Laurinaitis holds the position.
Had Knowles stuck around for another year or two before leaving, elevating Laurinaitis to defensive coordinator would have likely been a no-brainer. Just right now, he’s not quite ready since he will be entering just his second season as linebackers coach. Luckily it feels like Patricia won’t be at Ohio State for years, since with some time to restore his coaching reputation in Columbus, the former NFL head coach will probably get the itch to head back to the pros, much like Chip Kelly did following the 2024 season.
The future for not only the Ohio State linebackers, but the defense as a whole is in great hands because of the influence Laurinaitis has. The intensity Laurinaitis brings is infectious and the resulting the short amount of time he has been with the team have been undeniable.
Those who have been itching to see the unit return to dominance are getting what they have craved for so long, which makes 2025 and beyond such an exciting time to be rocking the scarlet and gray.
Continue reading...
Brett Ludwiczak via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Robin Alam/ISI Photos/Getty Images
2025 will be an exciting time to keep tabs on the Buckeye linebackers with James Laurinaitis’ impact on the unit.
Chris Spielman, A.J. Hawk, Andy Katzenmoyer. Those are just a few legendary linebackers in Ohio State history. Now another former Buckeye great at the position is working to restore the glory at linebacker in Columbus.
Since joining Ryan Day’s coaching staff a couple years ago, James Laurinaitis has the unit brimming with confidence.
During the final few years of Urban Meyer’s tenure as head coach, as well as the first two seasons with Day at the helm, the Ohio State linebackers were largely underwhelming. It didn’t help that Billy Davis was hired as linebackers coach just because he was friends with Meyer since it became obvious that Davis was terrible at his job. With the low bar Davis set, Al Washington was able to skate by on Day’s staff for three seasons.
The ineffective coaching at the position resulted in Tuf Borland becoming a running joke when he was on the field. While it’s hard to knock Borland’s effort during his time in Columbus, he just couldn’t match up to the standard guys like Ryan Shazier and Raekwon McMillan had recently set.
Others like Pete Werner and Baron Browning have gone on to be successful in the NFL, which proves the coaches during at Ohio State during that time period weren’t utilizing players correctly.
Enter James Laurinaitis. After spending a couple years on the radio, the former Buckeye linebacker jumped into the coaching ranks, joining friend and fellow linebacker Marcus Freeman at Notre Dame as a graduate assistant and assistant linebackers coach.
When Freeman brought Laurinaitis in it felt like a huge miss for Day since it was no secret that Laurinaitis was looking to get back into the game in some capacity. The move look to bring in Laurinaitis looked like an even bigger coup since the linebacker’s first game on staff with the Fighting Irish would be against Ohio State in Columbus to kick off the 2022 season.
The way the 2022 season ended for the Buckeyes left a sour taste in Day and new defensive coordinator Jim Knowles’ mouth. Ohio State lost to Georgia 42-41 at the Peach Bowl in a College Football Playoff semifinal. Combine the loss to the Bulldogs with allowing 45 points to Michigan in the previous game and it became obvious reinforcements were needed.
Day made good on his miss the previous year and was able to lure Laurinaitis back to Columbus to learn under Knowles. The move paid immediate dividends, as the Buckeye defense gave up more than 20 points in just one game in 2023. Unfortunately that occurred in the loss to Michigan, which led to Ohio State being left out of the College Football Playoff.
After spending 2023 as a graduate assistant, Laurinaitis was promoted to linebackers coach ahead of the 2024 season. Even in the short time that Laurinaitis had been back with the football program, the influence he had on the linebackers became obvious.
Not only was Cody Simon playing with confidence as he replaced Tommy Eichenberg as the senior leader of the group, Laurinaitis was able to start molding Sonny Styles, who was moved to linebacker from safety. Both Simon and Styles recorded at least 100 tackles last year. Simon would go on to be selected in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft by the Arizona Cardinals.
Now that Simon is in the pros, Styles now will be the leader of the linebackers in 2025. After excelling in his first full season at linebacker, an even bigger jump is expected from the Pickerington product since he’ll have another offseason to work with Laurinaitis. Joining Styles will be Arvell Reese, who impressed last season.
It’s clear that Laurinaitis is putting together a strong group of players behind Styles with Reese, as well as underclassmen Riley Pettijohn and Payton Pierce. Not even on campus yet are 2026 four-star commits Simeon Caldwell and C.J. Sanna.
With the Ohio State defensive line featuring so many new starters in 2025, even more will be expected from the linebackers this season. This is the kind of situation Laurinaitis has to love. You know he is going to challenge his players to raise up to the moment since he would relish situations like this as a player.
Along with being such a fierce competitor, Laurinaitis is an also a tremendous human being, which are two things he’ll expect his players to be. Since returning to his alma mater, there has definitely been an increase in confidence and heart shown by Buckeye linebackers.
Much like what Brian Hartline has shown since become a part of the coaching staff, Laurinaitis looks like he is in it for the long haul in Columbus. Despite Ryan Day bringing in Matt Patricia to replace Knowles as defensive coordinator, it feels like only a matter of time before Laurinaitis holds the position.
Had Knowles stuck around for another year or two before leaving, elevating Laurinaitis to defensive coordinator would have likely been a no-brainer. Just right now, he’s not quite ready since he will be entering just his second season as linebackers coach. Luckily it feels like Patricia won’t be at Ohio State for years, since with some time to restore his coaching reputation in Columbus, the former NFL head coach will probably get the itch to head back to the pros, much like Chip Kelly did following the 2024 season.
The future for not only the Ohio State linebackers, but the defense as a whole is in great hands because of the influence Laurinaitis has. The intensity Laurinaitis brings is infectious and the resulting the short amount of time he has been with the team have been undeniable.
Those who have been itching to see the unit return to dominance are getting what they have craved for so long, which makes 2025 and beyond such an exciting time to be rocking the scarlet and gray.
Continue reading...