Ohio State football: 3 questions about the defense - Scarlet and Game

Today, we take a look at the Ohio State football team’s defense and questions they have to answer.

After considering three questions about the offense yesterday, it’s time for three about the defense. As I said yesterday with the offense, I’m not claiming these are the most important questions facing the defense. I’m just not that pretentious to make that claim. These are simply three things that come to mind on the Ohio State football team.

Can Josh Proctor become an elite free safety? – After we were spoiled by Jordan Fuller being rock solid for three years, it was difficult to watch the defense struggle art this position for most of last season. Marcus Hooker started the first five games and was almost a liability. When he was injured for the Big Ten championship game against Northwestern, Proctor took over and gave the Buckeyes stability at the position.

Up to that point he had been the self-described Swiss army knife of the secondary. He learned all of the positions and was used in a variety of roles. He played well enough in that first start to put a strangle hold on the starting job. The hope is now that he is focusing on only one position, he will become a force and lock down the back end of the OSU defense. The potential has been there. It’s now time for him to fully tap into it.

Will the defensive backs turn and face the ball in pass coverage? – There may not be anything in football that drives me up the walls more than watching a defensive back play with his back to the ball and give up a catch when he is in position to make a play. I’ve had the reasoning for the technique explained to me and it still does not make sense.

Yes, the defender has his eyes locked onto the receiver and does not lose him, but he also has no idea where the ball is and is usually treated to a nice view of the receiver making a catch. This happened far too often last year. I’ve seen only two Buckeyes who could play this technique effectively. Denel Ward and, believe it or not, Pete Werner were outstanding at it. But, overall, Buckeye defenders have struggled with this type of coverage. I’m a firm believer in a defensive back getting his head around and locating the ball when it is in the air. You can’t intercept a pass or bat it away if you don’t know where the ball is. If secondary coach Matt Barnes has them doing that this season, it will be one of the things that improves the play of the defensive backfield.

How much of an impact will J.T. Tuimoloau make? – Because he waited so long to commit and only recently arrived on campus, I was concerned about the time he missed with strength and conditioning coordinator Mickey Marotti. I was unsure if he’d be ready to handle going against collegiate offensive linemen. But, after going back and watching more video of him, I think Tuimoloau is going to be an impact player for the Buckeye defense. When I watch him I have to remind myself he’s 277 pounds. He flies around the field like a much lighter player.

To describe him as light on his feet and athletic is an understatement. A player this big who can move like that is a rarity. He reminds me a lot of Chase Young when he first joined the Ohio State football team. Young would fly around the field almost out of control, but you could see the athleticism. The difference is Young was 245 pounds at the time, Tuimoloau outweighs him by over thirty pounds. I think Tuimoloau’s development this year is going to be like a freight train rolling down a hill. His development will continually gain speed until he is nearly unstoppable. I’m usually not one given to hyperbole, but when I look at his size and overwhelming athleticism, I think he’s going to be a force this year.

We’ve now considered questions about the offense and defense. Tomorrow, we’ll look at three questions concerning the special teams.

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July 18, 2021 at 11:54PM
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Ohio State football: 3 questions about the defense - Scarlet and Game
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