Ohio State returns all three starting linebackers from last season in Tuf Borland, Malik Harrison, and Pete Werner. In fact, they lost just two linebackers from last year’s team. The Buckeyes were two or three players deep this spring at each linebacker position, which gave new linebackers coach Al Washington plenty to watch throughout camp.
Ohio State entered spring ball with a two-year starter returning at middle linebacker in Tuf Borland, as well as his top two backups. Borland finished third on the team with 67 tackles last season, despite returning while still recovering from an Achilles tendon injury. While Borland got up to speed, it was Baron Browning starting in his place…
Every year, new Buckeyes emerge and climb the depth charts of the Ohio State offense and defense. It is a necessary progression which then allows the program to replace departed stars and reestablish any loss of depth. This year on the OSU defense, nine starters return from last season, which makes climbing the depth chart quite a…
There was a telling moment during an interview session with Ohio State defensive line coach Larry Johnson last week. He was asked about the oft-discussed simplification of the OSU offense and he remarked that “you can never be simplified enough.” This thought flies in the face of what the Buckeyes did the last two years on defense, with…
On Sunday, we looked at the Ohio State offense through the first five practices, which means it is now time to give the same treatment to the Buckeye defense. As head coach Ryan Day has said, the OSU defense returns more experience than the offense, but much of that experience is out with various injuries right now.
Ohio State linebackers coach Al Washington, along with Tuf Borland, Teradja Mitchell, and Dallas Gant break down the changes in their unit this spring.
Yesterday, we looked at the six Buckeyes on offense who are set to breakout this spring, so now it’s time to give the same treatment to the defense. Most of last year’s Ohio State defense returns, which is a good thing as long as you don’t go poking your nose where it doesn’t belong (i.e. box scores, DVRs, and YouTube). A new defensive staff…
Teradja Mitchell came to Ohio State from Bishop Sullivan High School in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Mitchell was a High School All-American and ranked the No. 1 inside linebacker per Rivals and the No. 2 inside linebacker per the 247Sports Composite. He was the No. 44 overall player in the 2018 recruiting class. Mitchell signed with…
Teradja Mitchell came to Ohio State with All-American accolades and blue chip expectations, but spent most of the 2018 season watching. Mitchell saw some action as a true freshman in 2018, but it was almost entirely on special teams. Defensive snaps were few and far between for each of the Buckeyes’ three rookie ‘backers…
Coaches love bowl games because it rewards their players for a season of effort and hard work (and also usually triggers a salary bonus.) It also gives coaches a chance to get a good, long look at the up-and-coming players on the roster. With a month of practices between games, there is no reason to overload the veterans…
