Going into his first season as Ohio State’s defensive coordinator, Jim Knowles said he wouldn’t rotate much at linebacker and defensive back, believing that continuity at those positions would yield the best results. Entering his second year with the Buckeyes, and recognizing his depth of talent at Ohio State is more significant than what he had at Oklahoma State and other previous coaching stops, Knowles has indicated that philosophy could change in 2023. “I think you get to The Ohio State, you realize there are a lot of guys with a lot of skills that you should find roles for,” Knowles said in May. Ohio State certainly seems to have a lot of defensive players who fit that description going into the 2023 season. Tommy Eichenberg and Steele Chambers return as the Buckeyes’ starting linebackers, but Knowles has said he expects Cody Simon and C.J. Hicks to have roles this season, too.…
Continue Reading: Ohio State Must Strike the Right Balance Between Playing Best Players, Substituting Effectively to Maximize Defensive Potential
