James Laurinaitis, Carlos Locklyn Finding Depth, Playmakers

COLUMBUS — The Buckeyes wrapped up practice No. 6 of fall camp on Wednesday. Following practice, linebackers coach James Laurinaitis and a handful of his players spoke with reporters, as did running backs coach Carlos Locklyn and his four scholarship players. Highlights from what was said can be found below.

James Laurinaitis

If players earn the right to play, they will play.
The depth chart at Will linebacker is pretty fluid, which he likes because it creates on edge.
Sonny Styles and CJ Hicks are both physically impressive players. Styles brings the coverage ability, but they had to get him to slow down in the box until it’s time to fire. Hicks has the ability to blitz and turn the corner with a small turn radius.
If a player wants to be trusted he has to prove it to his teammates. Laurinaitis talked about wanting to prove himself to former cornerback teammate Malcolm Jenkins and not let him down. It has to be an every day thing.
On CJ Hicks: “So far he’s been locked in.” He’s done very well.
On Gabe Powers: “Gotten a lot more confident.” Laurinaitis is pushing him to make the calls and make sure the defensive line is “right.” “You’ve got to fix everything as the Mike.” The Mike has to be the general of the defense.
Freshman Payton Pierce can handle multiple linebacker spots. “He’s not behind at all” despite missing the spring with an injury.
Pierce will come downhill and he’s very natural in the box. “He’s a scrapper.”
Sonny Styles wants to be great and wants to understand the WHY of everything he is doing.
On freshman Garrett Stover: “Garrett can run, I can tell you that.” If he’s not on kickoff coverage this year, something went wrong. He’s going through a learning curve but “those Stover boys are tough.”
Laurinaitis has spent time with CJ Hicks to get him to “just pull the trigger” when the ball is snapped. Hicks “just makes things happen” when you send him into the backfield.

TreVeyon Henderson

On the run scheme: “I feel like it fits my game a lot.” How so: “We’ll see on Saturdays.”
There has been a lot of growth on the offensive line. You can tell they’ve gotten closer as a group.
Chip Kelly has opened everybody’s eyes on offense. Kelly also knows what it takes to get to the NFL.
He’s very close with Quinshon Judkins. They are always helping other.

Carlos Locklyn

Asked if he’s comfortable with freshman running backs James Peoples and Sam Williams-Dixon if they had to come into a game, he said he’s never comfortable but he’s confident they will get the job done. They have made tremendous growth since the spring.
When his RBs make a mistake and get critiqued by others, he takes that personally because those mistakes are on him. Yell at the coach for those errors.
Both freshmen are very coachable.
Quinshon Judkins is “very gifted.” He’s a powerful runner. A sponge with a great attitude. “He can take my coaching.”
On Caleb Downs possibly playing some running back? He said he doesn’t have anything to do with that decision.
Sam Williams-Dixon stands out in every facet.
Tony Johnson has been a big help as an assistant running backs coach for Locklyn. He does a good job scouting players as well.
Asked how he encourages unselfishness between Judkins and Henderson but also wants them to want the ball, he said, “They got no choice.” It doesn’t cost anything to celebrate another man’s success, so if one of them has a good moment, they all have that good moment. They’ve got to feed off of each other’s success.

Sonny Styles

He is constantly soaking up all of the information he can about the defense. That’s why he’s asking why a lot. He also talked about watching closely and learning from others’ mistakes.
If a coach is talking to one person, they’re talking to everyone, so pay attention.
Defending the pass against RBs/TEs fits him better. He never really cared for having to cover 4.3 receivers.
On slowing down but not being slow, he said he is being intentional in practice and in film work but eventually you want the footwork to be natural and without much thinking.

Quinshon Judkins

Asked about his cheat-code-like spin move on EA’s CFB game, he said he is about the only person who doesn’t know how to use the move. But his spin move in real life is something he’s done for a long time.
“I love Chip Kelly’s offense.” It is “super versatile.”
It has been impressive watching the true freshmen improve and learn over time.

CJ Hicks

He “100%” anticipates the linebackers will attack more this year than they did last year, which will lead to more sacks for the position.
Defensive coordinator Jim Knowles is more comfortable with the defense and the guys in it, which will lead to more aggression.
This is a more athletic group of linebackers in a while at Ohio State.
On the competition with Sonny Styles at Will linebacker: “We don’t really care who starts as long as we’re both eating.” “I feel like you’re getting the same guy.” Just sub out the tired guy when the time comes.
He spent his first two years “trying to be perfect,” which slowed him down. “This year, I don’t care. If I mess up, I mess up.” Hesitation needs to end.
He has a knack for getting to the quarterback. Always has.

Sam Williams-Dixon

He’s a willing pass blocker but it helps knowing who to block. You need to be prepared and understand your assignments.
When Dallan Hayden transferred, he felt like he and James Peoples “got this.”
Having success in the spring game “was crazy.” He gained confidence from that game and has grown more comfortable as fall camp has gone on. He’s learning from watching the film, which then prepares him for the next practice.
Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson do a great job of being leaders for him and James Peoples. “We don’t take that for granted.”

James Peoples

On Carlos Locklyn: “I love the way he coaches.” “He’s gotten my best.”
He never thought about leaving when Tony Alford left for Michigan. It was a surprise though.
Being a Texas HS RB, JK Dobbins is definitely an inspiration. “The standard is to be the best.”