Ohio State Football: Defensive coaches expecting big things in 2023
The Ohio State football team had coaches speak with the media on Tuesday. Here is what we learned on the defensive side of the ball.
The Ohio State football team is in its second full season in the Jim Knowles defense and confidence is high amongst the coaches. Speaking with the media in the Woody Hayes Athletic Center Tuesday, Knowles and his staff seem to believe that 2023 could be a breakout season for the team defensively.
Knowles specifically mentioned a change in his original beliefs when starting the job at Ohio State. He wanted his starters to be on the field for the majority of the game, believing that the more reps you get on the field will make you better as the game moves along.
He mentioned that he will shift his thinking in 2023 to get some other players more time on the field. Chief amongst them is former five-star and top-10 national player, C.J. Hicks, who he believes will be “unleashed” a bit next season.
That’s great news if you’re a Buckeye fan. It’s time to get these young and talented players like Hicks and safety Sonny Styles on the field. These guys have big play ability and it’s something that the defense lacked in 2022.
Defensive line coach Larry Johnson mentioned how transfer defensive tackle, Tywone Malone, will bring some good depth to the tackle rotation. Malone, who played at Ole Miss last season, will focus solely on football after splitting his time between baseball and football while in Oxford. Johnson also mentioned how J.T. Tuimoloau’s Penn State game was his “Michael Jordan moment” but he needs to add consistency in 2023 if the line will get to where it needs to be by season’s end.
Lastly, safeties coach Perry Eliano really likes where his room is at the moment, adding that his players have “grown tremendously” over the offseason. Eliano also loves what he’s seeing out of veteran safety Lathan Ransom, who is taking on more of a leadership-type role within the room this Spring.
Next. Grading the 2022 Coaching Staff. dark
Overall, it sounds as if the defensive staff is really pleased with where things stand at the moment for them. Hopefully, this translates onto the field come next September.