Practice Report: Ohio State defensive depth emerges as Buckeyes get back to work
COLUMBUS — Practice No. 3 at Ohio State is over, and the Buckeyes were back in pads for the first time this spring.
After a week off, the intensity ramped up inside the Woody Hayes Athletic Center as Ryan Day and his assistant coaches continue to learn more about their 2022 roster. Not unexpectedly, the majority of the questions in Columbus remain centered on the defensive side of the ball. That’s where three new coaches are working to remedy the ailments that plagued the Ohio State football team the last two seasons.
It’s too early for any kind of full evaluation about how that process is going according to Day.
“It’s been mostly about the foreground stuff early,” Day said Tuesday. “Just kind of installing the base defense, certainly in the first week. As we get into practice three, four and five we’ll dive into some more of that stuff.
“That’s where we’re going to start … I’m excited to see where it goes.”
Day isn’t alone in that regard. His roster is one of the deepest and most talented in the country. The defensive struggles of the past two seasons have cost him at least one true chance at a national title. Now though, the kids that were inexperienced or unhealthy a year ago have returned and are looking to make an impact. Tuesday’s practice put on full display the emerging depth that Ohio State has, especially on defense. On all three levels of the defense for Jim Knowles, key players return to provide the Buckeyes a much-needed defensive boost.
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And the most important thing? Some key players — guys like Josh Proctor and Lathan Ransom — aren’t even back to full strength yet. As even more talented defenders return, the challenge of how to get each guy into meaningful reps will become one of the next challenges for Ohio State.
That’s one of the topics being covered on today’s Practice Report, presented by ByersAuto.com. Check out the video below.
Want to see more Ohio State football, basketball and recruiting news? Check out the Lettermen Row YouTube channel now.
