For the second straight year, Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles sat down with The Dispatch for an interview previewing the upcoming season. Last year, Knowles was optimistic that the Buckeyes’ defense would improve in the second year in his scheme. It did, though it wilted at key moments in the losses to Michigan and Missouri in the Cotton Bowl.
Now Knowles enters Year 3 with a loaded defense. The Buckeyes lost linebackers Tommy Eichenberg and Steele Chambers and tackle Mike Hall Jr. But the rest of the defense returns, and OSU added safety Caleb Downs, a freshman All-American last year at Alabama.
Here’s what Knowles had to say about his players and expectations for this season, which are sky high? This has been edited for clarity and brevity. For the full interview, click on the podcast version of our talk.
Q: How different will it be in Year 3 in your defense?
A: I know the players and the players know me. I think that’s critical in building relationships and helping them achieve their peak performance because ultimately when they’re out there on the field, I want them to think like me and play like them. You want to somehow impart everything that I’ve learned and pour it into them. You want them to see the game the way I see it. We’re getting there. In Year 3, a lot of guys coming back could have moved on, which is humbling, but it also is a good sign that we’re doing things right because guys want to come back. They believe that we can still help them get better.
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Q: Just how good could this defense be?
A: There’s no limits to how good we can be. We can do anything. Last year in Year 2, we moved into what I would say would be considered a top-five defense. Not in all categories, but in a significant number of categories. That’s what we say means to be a Silver Bullet defense, to be a top-five defense. Ultimately, you’d like to be top five in every single category. That’s not impossible. It’s really not.
Q: In your first year, your defense made significant statistical improvement but gave up too many big plays. Last year, you cut down on those. But you weren’t creating a lot of havoc. Not a lot of turnovers, not a lot of sacks. You were middle the pack nationally. Is that the next step, to combine that?
A: Yeah, that had been probably more of what I was known for in my career and that’s not what we needed in the maturation of this defense and becoming a defense that everyone can count on and ultimately winning every single game we play. That’s the goal, right? It’s not stats. But you are right, as I see it, we made those changes, we were able to win some games on defense. We did change the explosive plays. There’s no doubt about that. Statistically, we were top five in explosive plays. Now we do want to create more havoc. We do want to create more loss-yardage plays, turnovers. take more chances. We have the guys to do that.
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Q: You look at this defense and what’s the weakness? What’s even the major question? The obvious caveat is that injuries cause could change things. But when you look at the defense, to me, you have really 12 starters because we have nickel cornerback Jordan Hancock and Sonny Styles, who’s now moved to linebacker with Cody Simon and C.J. Hicks. I’m sure you’ll mix and match. But when you look at the defense, do you see a major question in your mind?
A: No. I think depth at safety − it’s going to be a long season − and development of those linebackers that have not played a lot of that position (is an issue). Sonny is making the transition. C.J. has been developing for two years and has to be the guy this year along with Sonny, so we need to get those guys on the field and going. Then who’s next at linebacker − Gabe Powers, Arvell Reese – already capable guys. And then the depth of safety. We’ve got Caleb Downs, who’s a great player with a great football mind and football intelligence. And Lathan (Ransom) is back. Who’s going to step up behind them? Malik Hartford, (Jayden) Bonsu, Keenan (Nelson Jr.) our transfer from South Carolina. So the depth at safety and linebacker (is a concern) because it’s a long season.
Q: You didn’t mention fifth-year senior Cody Simon, which I know is just an oversight.
A: I consider Cody a multiyear starter, and he’s going to run the show. When you talk to (strength coach) Mick (Marotti), Cody Simon’s one of the best to come through here in leadership and work ethic and all those things. Cody is going to be great.
We love Tommy, but with Cody there’s no dropoff.
Q: What’s the effect of you not having an assigned position group this year with James Laurinaitis officially taking over as linebackers coach?
A: It’s an advantage. I get to sit in on other position meetings and move around more and spend more time in different areas of the defense. I’ve done it before, and it really allows me to be at my best in terms of big-picture thinking and building relationships with all the positions.
Q:…
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