Many of the defensive linemen Nigel Smith II aims to emulate are Larry Johnson products. Growing up watching Joey Bosa, Nick Bosa and Chase Young, Smith didn’t see a group of uniform Ohio State defensive ends developed under Johnson. Instead, he saw technically sound, yet dominant pass rushers with individuality. “It’s the little things: no false stepping when they are coming off their pass rush,” Smith said. “He showed me film of all of them doing that in high school, all of them doing that at their camps. But then, in their college times, no false stepping … their hips got better, their hands. Just technique in total. All (have) improved in ways to help their individual game.” And during Smith’s official visit to Ohio State, starting a string of visits to Penn State, Oklahoma and Texas A&M in June, he said Johnson told him why the 2024 defensive end…
Continue Reading: 'I am their dude': Why Ohio State pitches 2024 DE Nigel Smith II as its next Chase Young
