Ohio State Football Notebook: 'He is really as good as anybody'

Picking Up The Pace

This year’s Ohio State football team is deep enough that most of the concerns involve the outer realms of the two-deep. Almost every starting position is set, but players are still vying for their places in the pecking orders, as well as fighting to show that they can be trusted when called upon.

Sophomore linebacker Arvell Reese is one of those players. He is currently competing with redshirt sophomore Gabe Powers to be the Buckeyes’ backup middle linebacker. Powers has the experience, but Reese is gaining momentum.

That momentum led to him grading out a champion in last Saturday’s scrimmage in Ohio Stadium.

“Arvell Reese really played well,” head coach Ryan Day said on Thursday. “He was the player of the game on defense.”

Reese played in eight games last year, but missed time with an injury. All of his time came via special teams last year, but defensive coordinator Jim Knowles sees an opportunity for more this year.

“Yeah, I think he can help,” Knowles said. “Arvell has made great strides since he has been here. When he is on the attack and he is playing downhill, he is really as good as anybody. He makes plays. Right now he is working at the Mike linebacker. There is a lot that goes into that. There are a lot of details of the game and formations and checks and he is constantly getting better at that. But when he is on the attack, he is really good.”

Where There’s A Will, There’s A Mike?

In Jim Knowles’ 4-2-5 defense, the Buckeyes play just two linebackers — the Will and the Mike — in their base set. Both positions are considered inside linebackers, and ideally the linebackers will cross-train and be able to play either position should the need arise.

This year, however, with Sonny Styles and CJ Hicks still trying to prove themselves as Will linebackers, Knowles hasn’t gone that route yet.

“We have not done much of that,” he said. “A little bit here and there, just to get them ready for it. We will have to see.”

Eventually, Hicks and/or Styles may get more snaps at Mike just to give them more of a taste, but they’re already being asked to know two linebacker positions as it is.

“Both of those guys also play our Sam position,” Knowles said. “So sometimes there are three guys in the game, so you do not want to overload them with too much so that they become hesitant. So we have not done that a whole lot.”

Safety Concerns

As Jim Knowles thinks over his first-world problems as Ohio State’s defensive coordinator, it doesn’t take long for him to spell out a concern.

“Sure, it goes back to safety depth,” he said this week.

Depth, of course, is the concern because a starting duo of sophomore Caleb Downs and senior Lathan Ransom may be the nation’s best. Still, the last time the Buckeyes went an entire season only two starting two safeties was 2019 — and that’s if you want to consider Shaun Wade a safety.

Seventeen different safeties have started a game at Ohio State over the previous four seasons, and the Buckeyes are about to embark on what they hope is the longest season in school history. So you may have to forgive Knowles if the safeties are a concern.

Last year, Malik Hartford started two games for the Buckeyes as a true freshman due to injury. And there have been nothing but positives from true freshman Jaylen McClain since he arrived in January, but there are still questions to be answered.

“I think I have mentioned it before, but we feel good about our starters,” Knowles said. “But the guys behind there with Malik, and really McClain has really emerged as a guy who is going to have to be ready to play. But you have got two guys that are unproven and still learning and every day in practice is a learning experience for them and a challenge, particularly if they get to go against our best receivers. So our safety depth needs to come along.”

Hartford would likely be starting for the Buckeyes had Caleb Downs not transferred to OSU. Expectations remain high for Hartford, who continues to get better.

“He’s growing in confidence,” Knowles said. “He’s growing in confidence, and that’s a huge thing for a safety because you’ve got to manage the back end and you’ve got to be able to play the run and pass and decipher between the two. So, for him, it’s just all about confidence. He’s got the talent, so it’s just a matter of reps and confidence.”

Earning His Stripes

Just as the Buckeyes have arguably the best safety tandem in the nation, they inarguably have the best running back tandem in the nation. Senior TreVeyon Henderson and junior Quinshon Judkins have both rushed for over 2,700 yards in their respective careers.

Being a workhorse isn’t a stranger to either player, but the Buckeyes can’t rely on just Henderson and Judkins. Head coach Ryan Day has already said that true freshmen James Peoples and Sam Williams-Dixon are going to need to play this year.

Both freshmen have had their moments and gotten better as camp has progressed. Following last Friday’s practice just over a week ago, Peoples lost his black stripe.

Not that the stripe was weighing him down, but since that practice, Day has seen a new level for Peoples.

“Yeah, another guy who I think has had his best — once he got that black stripe off the day before, has really put some good practices together,” Day said. “I think he’s getting his rest and he’s taking care of himself and he understands what it takes to recover at this level. He’s on his stuff. He’s got a great look in his eyes. He’s got a great energy when he walks in the building. And you’re seeing the way he runs. He’s seeing it faster and doing a better job in protection. So I’m excited about what I’ve seen the last week from James.”