Senior J.T. Tuimoloau returns to anchor the Buckeyes defensive line. (Press Pros Feature Photos)
If any coach carries himself as capable of not allowing a veteran unit to rest on past achievements, it’s OSU defensive coordinator Jim Knowles. And Akron will be the first victim.
Columbus, OH – Jim Knowles can’t identify with being comfortable, satisfied, or sure of what he’s going to get from his Ohio State defense on any given Saturday.
But behind an occasional smile that is a thin disguise, and the accompanying glint in his eye that can’t lie, Knowles can’t hide what he won’t predict: that he coaches the best defense in the country.
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Instead, he says: “We’re working with veterans who are also extremely talented. So you have to expect the best and chase perfection.”
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Translation: This unit, that is the alpha dog for the No. 2 Buckeyes, is really, really good. They know it. Opponents know it. And everyone in Dr Pepper Fansville knows it.
Knowles’ uber experienced unit can’t help but be better than last year, and they get to start proving it at 3:30 p.m. Saturday against 48.5-point underdog Akron at Ohio Stadium. This group, that includes eight returning starters, wants to surpass last year’s numbers: No. 2 in the nation in allowing 11.2 points per game, No. 1 in passing defense, No. 8 in rushing defense and No. 3 in total defense.
After the first three games against decided high double-digit underdogs – the aforementioned Zips, Western Michigan and Marshall – the Buckeyes might lead the nation in all four categories. And two weeks into the Big Ten schedule against offensively challenged Michigan State and Iowa, those rankings won’t change much, if at all.
But it doesn’t matter what statistics say after thumping that level of opponent. The numbers will only mean something tangible after the nation sees what the defense does in Week 6 at No. 3 Oregon, Week 8 at No. 8 Penn State and Week 12 against No. 9 Michigan. Those are the weeks of proving yourself, of needing to get as close to perfection as possible, of being a predictor of what to expect in the playoffs.
Cody Simon (above, #30) returns to take the place of departed Tommy Eichenberg.
Knowles is comfortable with one thing: every Saturday being a proving ground.
“Maybe statistically we played OK, but we didn’t win every game,” he said about last year.
And while it’s obvious for others to throw blame at the offense and special teams, Knowles says his unit won’t punt the blame.
“We could have won the bowl game 3-0,” he said of the 14-3 loss to Missouri in the Cotton Bowl. “That’s on those guys, and they get it. Every week you go out there is like you’re delivering your thesis – you know you have to prove yourself on that day.”
Knowles’ 2023 defense certainly proved itself far better than the one he inherited. Now the pressure is truly on for a group that is half led by men who could be prepping for their NFL debuts. They came back to chase a championship. There are no excuses this season.
“They understand that challenge, and they want the fans, the media, the rest of the team, to be able to know when they go on the field that they can be counted on no matter what the situation, no matter what the score,” Knowles said.
The questions for Knowles on Tuesday didn’t get around to the front four. But what’s to ask about J.T. Tuimoloau, Jack Sawyer, Tyleik Williams, Ty Hamilton and considerable depth? More sacks are all anybody is asking.
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The linebacking corps has a new look, but confidence is high.
Senior Cody Simon has shared time at the Mike position with Tommy Eichenberg. But the job is all his now, and he earned the right to wear the Block O jersey this season.
“Conscientious, team guy, do whatever it takes, no ego involved,” Knowles said. “My first two years here, he kind of did a little bit of everything. That’s the kind of guy we all want to represent us because it really means something to him.”
Sonny Styles has beefed up enough to transition from safety (above) to linebacker in 2024.
The Will position belongs to juniors Sonny Styles and C.J. Hicks. Both were 5-star recruits from Ohio – Styles from Pickerington Central, Hicks from Kettering Alter. Styles will start, but Knowles said Hicks will play equal time. Hicks is considered the best pass rusher and said at the beginning of preseason camp that he will lead the team in sacks.
Knowles said Styles is so coachable – you only have to tell him something once – that he can also play the Mike. So don’t be surprised if you see versatile combinations of Simon, Styles and Hicks.
“All three of those guys are considered 1s that should play equally,” Knowles said.
The secondary welcomes back corners Denzel Burke, Davison Igbinosun and Jordan Hancock and safety Lathan Ransom. Only one player in the secondary needs an introduction, but no doubt you’ve heard about Caleb Downs, the sophomore transfer from Alabama who was a freshman All-American.
Knowles didn’t get Downs the first time, but he got him the second time. He was glad to persuade Downs, but there was nothing emotional or rah-rah about the recruitment. Just three hours talking football in front of a laptop.
“I just knew we had to be on point,” Knowles said. “You look to recruit someone like that who understands the game the way he does, it’s like a job interview. It’s like game day. My job is to explain the defense in detail so that he understands that I’m going to be able to coach him and make him better.”
The analytical nature of his time at Downs’ home reminded Knowles of his interview with Mike Gundy that landed him the defensive coordinator job at Oklahoma State.
“Coach Gundy brought in 10 guys, brought you into a room, grilled you for three hours,” Knowles said. “Didn’t see the campus, shut the laptop, left, find out whether you get the job or not. That’s what it was like with Caleb. Pack up your laptop, head to Georgia, get in the house, three hours on the tape, pack up the laptop and hope you did a good job.”
That’s Jim Knowles. Confident in his approach, forever opening the door to the laboratory that is his football brain and never defensive.
But rarely comfortable.
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