Jim Knowles Wants A More Aggressive Defense, Still Moving Pieces Around

COLUMBUS — Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles met with reporters following the Buckeyes’ second practice of fall camp on Friday. He answered a bunch of questions from the assembled media. The highlights of everything he

Sonny Styles has proven to be a guy you can count on in the big moments. He’s gained weight and strength. He’s well-respected by everybody. You just see a lot of production from him and he’s a guy who understands football. Everybody sees that.
What do you do now in fall camp to ramp this defense back up? You emphasize the things that you can get better at. Like the presentation of the defense. “Our we showing what we’re playing, or are we disguising.” They need to be more aggressive in the blitzing. They want to be top five in more categories. They want to get the D-line in more one-on-one situations. So they’re tracking those areas.
The competition at Will linebacker? In a 4-2 scheme, they’re both neck-and-neck right now. They have to continue to look at ways to get all three linebackers on the field. The depth at nickel concerns him. Lorenzo Styles has been banged up. Jermaine Mathews and Denzel Burke are both getting some shots at nickel as well.
How do you balance the aggression of years one and two of his first two years? They want to be more multiple but have more attacking calls out of the base look this year. “It’s a constant adjustment.” They were good in lack of explosive plays last year but not not as good in sacks and TFLs. They want to improve that.
How deep is the defensive line? “Yeah, deep.” You’d like to have six tackles. Keep an eye on Kayden McDonald. “He can be a real force.”
Mitchell Melton really impressed Knowles when he first got here but he’s battled injuries. They have good depth at defensive end right now.
CJ Hicks getting some snaps in practice on the end of the line of scrimmage so far. He has some demonstrated talent when he’s on the attack. Sonny Styles can do that too. They are developing aspects of the Will linebacker to help them make plays.
Gabe Powers continues to develop and he is being groomed to take over for Cody Simon next year.
Caleb Down is a coach’s dream. “He understands everything. He picks everything up. He takes the coaching to the field. He takes great notes. He’s a pro.” He has a great effect on the rest of the team.
Tywone Malone is absolutely pushing for playing time. “I’ve definitely seen improvement.” “We’ll see more when the pads get on.” That’s a very physical position. “We’ve become accustomed to our defensive tackles making tackles.”
The Jack position is always there but right now with what this team has it’s not the answer. “You’re not looking to take one of those guys off the field.” They have guys that can do it. It’s a long season. They’ll keep it in their back pocket. The pressures and aggressiveness needs to be created out of the four-down look. If anything, they might go with five rushmen on the field. Particularly in passing situations.
Impressions of the first two days? They’ve been doing the basics. “I’m good right now with what I’ve seen in two days.” The important point to get across to the guys is that they have to chase perfection. “We have to. We have to chase perfection.” You’ll catch excellence in the process. “We have the guys to really reach for perfection.” This defense is covering guys and fitting the right gaps so far. Just have to keep pushing them.
On the right time for aggression: “I don’t want to be the one to mess them up.” When things are going well, let’s just keep it going. But when you stay in anything too long, you become predictable. Missouri did that to them late last year. “Even when things are going good, we still need to take some chances.”
Jermaine Mathews has already shown them that he can play in the big moments. He started last year against Penn State, and they went after him. He has shown he can be a gamer. That’s why he’s getting some time at nickel too. Calvin Simpson-Hunt had a good day today but needs to continue proving himself. “I know Jermaine is going to be there come game time.”
Only forcing 11 turnovers last year, how do you produce more this year? They are tracking turnovers in spring and fall camp because what you’ll emphasize, you’ll get. Not just creating turnovers but going through the process of punching the ball or matching the hand of the quarterback. Are you doing all of the things you need to do to create a turnover? “It’s definitely a point of emphasis.”
It’s too simple to say Sonny Styles will play against this offensive style and CJ Hicks will play against another type. You just keep pushing them and evaluating them. “It’s a really good situation.” “It’s going good right now because they’re both showing up.”
Knowles has a history of moving safeties to linebacker. You always expect some kind of initial drop off or learning curve, but Sonny Styles has been at the top of that learning curve.
What’s it like coaching a veteran defense now that knows your system compared to 2022? “It’s definitely an upper-level course.” There’s just more confidence that guys are going to be able to make the adjustments themselves. He puts a lot of pressure on himself to be right all the time, “but I’m not.” When you have veterans, they can fix it on the field.
Where did Jack Sawyer take that leap last year? “Confidence.” The end of last season he was more confident. “You can see how serious he is about his craft.” He has really advanced with the next-level stuff. He has blossomed under this system. When he makes a mistake Knowles doesn’t even get to yell at him because he knows what he’s done wrong.
Arvell Reese is talented. Could be a Will or Mike down the road. He’s made great strides. How will he fit in this year? “I don’t know. We’ve got to get him those game reps to see how he handles it.” They need to see that he understands the concepts of the defense. “We’ve got to create those opportunities for him.” He can do a lot of things. He can play defensive end. He can play Jack. “He can do a lot of things. It’s always in the back of my mind.”
Jeremiah Smith: “He’s shown right away that he can handle anything you throw at him. If you put him in a one-on-one situation, even against our best, you’re kind of holding your breath.” Great talent and great maturity.