Ohio State Football: Jonathon Cooper’s health will be vital in 2020
Ohio State has produced some of the most dominant defensive lines in college football in recent memory. But with the loss of four starters on the line, Jonathon Cooper’s return to health will be vital in continuing the success at the position in 2020.
Chase Young, Jashon Cornell, Robert Landers and Davon Hamilton are all moving on from Ohio State and will leave a massive hole on the defensive line. Young declared for the 2020 NFL Draft after his junior season, which was so impressive he finished fourth in Heisman voting. Cornell, Landers and Hamilton are fifth-year seniors who concluded fantastic careers in 2019.
However, as is often the case for the Buckeyes front four, the loss of four excellent players will not spell doom for the position in 2020. A major piece in determining just how well the defensive line performs is fifth-year senior Jonathon Cooper.
“Coop,” as he is often referred to, announced that he would red-shirt the 2019 season after battling injuries throughout the season. He played in only four games, but played an important role in the 56-27 drubbing of Michigan, racking up 3 tackles and a TFL.
Cooper didn’t see much playing time in 2016 and 2017, but still totaled 22 total tackles and 3 sacks in limited playing time. In his last full season (2018), he split time at defensive end with Young opposite Nick Bosa. Once Bosa went down with an injury against TCU, Cooper (and Young) stepped up.
Cooper finished the 2018 season with 25 total tackles, 6.5 of which were for a loss, and 2.5 sacks. He put in the work in the spring of 2019 and was named a team captain before injuries derailed what could have been a phenomenal season, complimented by the legendary output from Young.
In 2020, the Buckeyes already look well set on the defensive line, as rising sophomore Zach Harrison racked up 24 total tackles, 5.5 TFLs and 3.5 sacks.
Opposite Cooper and sandwiching two tackles — which will likely be some combination of Tommy Togiai, Haskell Garrett, Antwaun Jackson or Taron Vincent — with back-up from Javontae Jean-Baptiste, Tyler Friday and Tyreke Smith will continue the Ohio State tradition of incredible defensive lines.
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That tradition will largely be led by Cooper, who will be the leader of a young but highly talented defensive line. If that line performs simply at status quo, it will be difficult to get past the Ohio State defense.