Scarlet Sunrise: Progression of Jim Knowles defense paying dividends in Ohio State recruiting

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Progression of Jim Knowles defense paying dividends in Ohio State recruiting

Ohio State currently has the top-rated recruiting class in the 2025 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking. The Buckeyes’ top-two commits in that burgeoning group are cornerbacks Devin Sanchez and Na’eem Offord, both of whom are On3 Industry Ranking top-10 overall prospects.

Of Ohio State’s eight highest-rated 2025 commits so far, five play defense.

A liability as recent as three seasons ago, the Buckeyes’ defense has now caught up to their offense — actually, it even surpassed their offense on the field last year — and that’s showing up on the recruiting trail two years into Jim Knowles’ run as Ohio State defensive coordinator.

Knowles’ staff of secondary/cornerbacks coach Tim Walton, defensive line coach Larry Johnson, linebackers coach James Laurinaitis and safeties coach Matt Guerrieri is firing on all cylinders. Walton, in particular, has delivered a recruiting masterclass the last couple years. He’s reeled in six On3 Industry Ranking top-10 cornerbacks since the 2023 cycle — although Sanchez and Offord are only commits at the moment — and that’s not to mention his transfer portal feats, such as bringing in Davison Igbinosun from Ole Miss and playing a big role in Caleb Downs coming to Ohio State from Alabama.

The Buckeyes’ defensive recruiting breakthrough has gone hand-in-hand with Knowles elevating Ohio State to increasing heights on that side of the ball the last two seasons. In his 4-2-5 system, the Buckeyes have climbed from 38th (22.8 points per game allowed in 2021) to 24th (21.0 points per game allowed in 2022) to a whopping second (11.2 points per game allowed in 2023) in scoring defense.

Last year, Ohio State gave up the fewest plays of 40-plus yards from scrimmage in the FBS. The Buckeyes had just two to their name, and every other team in the nation conceded at least four.

What’s more, Ohio State finished with the best pass defense in the country, and Knowles’ unit held seven opponents under 100 yards on the ground in 2023.

“We talked about it when Jim first came in,” head coach Ryan Day said earlier this week. “I think Tim Walton’s doing an unbelievable job as well in the back end. Matt stepped right in, and James and Larry — I think they’re all doing a great job.

“It’s one thing to talk about it. That’s theory. Testimony is, just look at it, this is what we’re doing. And I think you’re seeing a lot of guys just excited about playing in this defense. I think they see the capability and the flexibility, too.”

Day continued: “The way we play right now is based on [the fact that] we have four really talented defensive linemen that are really good, and we’ve got a lot of depth at those positions. But there’s also flexibility with some of the things Jim’s done in the past that we’re definitely looking at, and some of the recruits that we’re looking at who bring some versatility — [for instance], pass rusher, we have that ‘JACK’ position and those type of things — so that’s exciting as well. I think you’re seeing a lot of the recruits really get fired up when they get here.”

Although the Buckeyes didn’t use the “JACK” — a standup, hybrid defensive end/linebacker position — in their defense last year, it’s something Knowles employed in 2022 and that he’s used throughout his time as a DC. With or without wrinkles like that, becoming even more athletic and versatile is a goal for Ohio State’s defense, which could take another step forward in 2024.

But, as Day alluded to, the proof is in the pudding now. The Buckeyes have shown who they can be defensively under Knowles, and that’s already brought great returns. Not only did it bring back several starter-level and draft-eligible Ohio State defenders this year, but it’s also led to others joining up, namely Downs, who took note of the unit’s ascent.

“They played great defense last year,” Downs said back in the winter after he transferred in. “Just watching the film and seeing how they progressed and seeing how their defense played last year, it definitely helped me make a more sound decision in having more facts about what I’d be getting into.”

A journey and a dream: Bodpegn Miller’s path to Ohio State commit started across the globe

The journey for Ohio State’s most recent commit, 2025 Mansfield (Ohio) Ontario athlete Bodpegn Miller, began 7,435 miles away and 12 years ago.

Originally from Ethiopia, he was adopted by Alan and Deanna Miller and moved to the United State just before he turned 6.

That’s when he learned about Ohio State, and that’s when his dream to play for the Buckeyes was born.

For the full story, head on over here.

Best-case, worst-case scenarios for Buckeyes offensive line

There’s a world in which everything clicks for the Ohio State offensive line — and, simultaneously, third-year O-Line coach Justin Frye turns the corner recruiting — but there’s also a world where the Buckeyes struggle up front for the second year in a row, or, worse, they get bit by the injury bug.

Lettermen Row played out both the best-case scenario and the worst-case scenario for Frye’s group in 2024.

Get those here.

RELATED

• How they got here: Mapping out career path of each Buckeyes underclassman O-Lineman so far
• How they got here: Mapping out career path of each Buckeyes upperclassman O-Lineman so far

Counting Down

Buckeyes vs. Akron: 69 days
Buckeyes vs. Michigan: 160 days

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