Last season, it was the Ohio State defense that took another step forward under coordinator Jim Knowles. It is only fair to expect the defense to take another step forward and to be one of the best groups in the country this fall.
Not only did the Buckeyes shoot big and succeed in the transfer portal, but they were able to return a ton of players from their defense overall. Putting both together has given the Buckeyes a very talented defense .
"There's no limits to how good we can be," Knowles said early in camp. "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.”
It is easy to see that Knowles has high expectations for his unit 2024 and he should from what we see on paper. The Buckeyes’ biggest addition to the defense is safety Caleb Downs, who gives Ohio State perhaps the best in the country at the position . Nick Saban retired from Alabama and Downs ended up at the school that finished second in his high school recruitment.
Along the defensive line alone, the Buckeyes got both starting pass rushers to return to school. Jack Sawyer and J.T. Tuimoloau both have a chance to take a step forward with their draft stock in 2024. Tyleik Willams and Ty Hamilton are both back on the interior of the defense line to give the Buckeyes a ton of returning production from the front.
Denzel Burke, Lathan Ransom, and Davison Igbinosun are all back in the secondary. Cody Simon is the new key starter at MIKE linebacker and he will step into the shoes of Tommy Eichenberg, who is now in the NFL.
Ohio State has to show it on the field but things are shaping up for them to perhaps be a defensive-led team. If Ohio State wants to win it all, they will need to reach their full ability. When it is all said and done, that may turn out to be the best thing that could have happened for them .
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