With the vast majority of Ohio State's defensive starters entering their third year in Jim Knowles' scheme, the Buckeyes should be able to translate knowledge to added success in 2024.
Nine of the 11 projected starters in Ohio State’s 2024 defense are entering their third year playing for defensive coordinator Jim Knowles. Davison Igbinosun is in his second year at Ohio State after starting in 2023 and safety Caleb Downs, the only projected starter with no background in Knowles’ defense, is fresh off a freshman season posting triple-digit tackles at Alabama.
“We’re gonna dictate what the offense can do this year. That’s our goal and I feel very comfortable with the guys I’m on the field with.”The evolution of Knowles’ defense over his first two seasons at Ohio State is already stark. In 2023, Knowles decided to drop his trademark “Jack” position and play more straight up on defense, dialing back his typical bundle of blitzes. Ohio State responded by posting the No. 2 scoring, No. 3 total and No. 1 passing defense numbers in the country, and as the secondary proved its mettle, the Buckeyes became more aggressive later in the season.
“It’s different when you put the film on. When he first came here, it was Oklahoma State film,” Guerrieri said. “Now it’s two years of Ohio State film. So when you start talking about, what does it look like, these guys are now watching themselves on film. And it makes a big difference when you say, ‘OK, what does it look like for those guys? And then what’s the application to the Big Ten?’ It changes based on when Jim was in the ACC or the Big 12 or the Big Ten, that changes over time.
“You always want to try to do what’s best for the personnel,” Knowles said. “My thinking is, ‘OK, maybe we’re not built for a Jack-type of package.’ It’s not what I like, it’s what works. Maybe we’re not built for the Jack, but maybe we’re built more for the double eagle concept. It’s just something to think about.”
“Having Caleb and having Sonny in those positions, we just have athletes everywhere,” Tuimoloau said. “I think for us, being three years in this system now, we should know it and we know it like the back of our hands to where now we can make a lot of different adjustments. Allowing at certain moments and points where dudes are gonna be dudes. Understand what your assignment is and your job as well as knowing that you have a lot of dudes around you to where they know how you play.
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