Tim Walton, Matt Guerrieri Detail Latest With Buckeye Secondary

Tuesday was “secondary day” after Ohio State practice as the Buckeye defensive backs were given their turn in front of reporters. Cornerbacks coach Tim Walton and safeties coach Matt Guerrier both spoke with reporters and had plenty of updates on the latest happenings with a group of defensive backs that once again refer to themselves as “Best In America.” The highlights of everything the two coaches had to say can be found below.

Tim Walton

Freshman cornerback Devin Sanchez is “still learning, still growing,” but he’s doing well. This is still very early. They’re also moving guys around and giving them different looks, so talking about playing time is still a long way off for anybody.
Sophomore CB Aaron Scott is processing the game better. He’s closer to the ball. He’s got confidence. He’s competing. “We’ve got to compete here.” There are musical chairs here.
What is he looking for from his guys to know they can play: Competition on a daily basis and the ability to process the game. “You’ve got to be able to apply all of this stuff.” You also have to sustain it. Some guys can go for a short period of time, but are they still doing it two weeks from now.
What can Davison Igbinosun do to keep from acquiring penalties? Just move his feet better so that he doesn’t have to reach at the top out of a receiver’s route. If his feet are better at the top of the route, he won’t have to reach as much. It’s correctable, just like anything in life if you work at it.
Jermaine Mathews is playing well. “He’s outstanding.” He’s comfortable. He understands route progressions. Has a high football IQ. “‘Maine has been like a starter for us.” He’s competitive and confident.
On Lorenzo Styles, Jr. in the nickel: He’s coming along. He has learned a lot. “He’s doing well. He’s competing, he’s learning.” He really works at the game and is making good progress.
Mathews is leading. He has a sense of urgency. “The leadership part is big.” He’s accountable and he’s holding others accountable.
What does Davison Igbinosun want to get out of this season? Improve at the top of the route. Improve at off coverage. He’s tall, so he has to sink his hips. They work on all of those things so that it becomes his foundation before the season.
“It’s musical chairs. No one cares that you’re young. They’re throwing the ball over there when it’s game time.” You’ve got to pick it up and go, whether you’re a third-year guy or a freshman.
Redshirt freshman Miles Lockhart lost his black stripe this week. He has a sense of urgency and he’s applying the game a little better. That creates opportunity.
On Aaron Scott’s role this year: “I don’t know what his role will be, but he’s been doing well this spring.” He’s been competing. He has a passion for the game. He’s playing with confidence right now, but now you’ve to sustain it. The roles will take care of themselves in fall camp.
Devin Sanchez is doing well but Walton wants to see him do it over a long time.
In order for a young guy to play: The speed of the game, the different formations, the situational football, you have to be able to apply all of those moving parts and not be slowed down by it. “We try to push them as hard as we can now.”
Redshirt freshman Bryce West is doing well in the nickel. He has also played outside at corner. It helps his football IQ to play more positions.
“We’ve got a lot of pieces and we’re excited about it but we’re still young. We’re a young team.” It’s a competitive group with talent.

Matt Guerrieri

On replacing nickel back Jordan Hancock: He was critical for the defense last year in everything he did. They’re training the guys at nickel to “play defensive back,” not just star, not just corner. It’s important to have flexibility.
Really happy with safeties Malik Hartford and Jaylen McClain. If they both deserve to play, you have to come up with packages to get that done. Happy and impressed with both of them this spring.
Do they only have 11 starters? No, they have starters for a multitude of packages that goes beyond just 11 players.
Special teams and versatility are important with the roster limitations that have been implemented.
In the spring, they put guys in a bunch of different positions and spots so that they can evaluate what they can do during the season. “I want to stress the guys right now.”
Freshman safety Faheem Delane brings physicality to the game. He’s already college sized, now it’s Guerrieri’s job to increase the mental side of it for him.
Caleb Downs has had a limited spring just to give him a rest after a long season, but it also allows them to play other safeties more this spring.
What’s the key to keeping an out-of-state commit locked in for the next eight months? “Relationships. It’s all about relationships. Building real, authentic trust.”
Has the national title helped recruiting? When you have the trophy in your building, you have the best team. When you have the best defense, that shows a track record. “The best is a big word.” Guys want to be a part of that.
Bryce West brings great flexibility. He’s fast. “Bryce is awesome. I love Bryce.” He was showing improvement over the course of last season.
Where has he grown more comfortable: With relationships with players and OSU staff after coming back. You know your job and your tasks because Ryan Day has a clear message, but building the relationships with the players and coaches again has been awesome.