Ohio State Buckeyes defensive coordinator Matt Patricia may be taking a page out of his predecessor's playbook this season as it pertains to unleashing his linebackers.
Cleveland.com's Stefan Krajisnik predicts Patricia will unleash Payton Pierce next to Sonny Styles and Arvell Reese in a way reminiscent of what Jim Knowles deployed during the Buckeyes' run to the College Football Playoff National Championship.
"While their statures are different, Pierce could be the key to unlocking what Reese and Styles do as Ohio State’s starting linebackers this season," Krajisnik wrote.
"The Buckeyes unleashed their linebackers last year following a troublesome performance in a mid-October loss at Oregon. Ohio State started using Cody Simon and Styles to create havoc in the backfield, made evident by their four combined sacks in the College Football Playoff.
"Patricia might do the same with Styles and Reese this season. Having Pierce on the roster as a trusted third linebacker — who might be the surest tackler of the bunch — helps make it possible."
Patricia may as well borrow as much from Knowles as he could. He'll be under Knowles' shadow after the championship-caliber defensive coordinator took his talents to State College to coach the Penn State Nittany Lions, anyway.
Ohio State lost 14 NFL draft picks this offseason, but the Buckeyes are bringing back plenty of talent on both sides of the ball. Their LB room is more intact than other position groups. It's the skill position groups that are without key pieces that helped win it all this past January.
Patricia has the chance to make it one of the team's bright spots as Brian Hartline does the harder work of familiarizing himself with the QB room and help Ryan Day call plays.