Ohio State Buckeyes Football Offseason Preview

It finally happened. Ohio State, after a decade of victories against Michigan, finally lost to its archrival. This had not occurred since 2011, but Jim Harbaugh finally outfoxed Ryan Day. The Wolverines found the physical formula they needed to stymie the Buckeyes and their speed. Ohio State had a faster and more explosive team than Michigan, but it did not have the more physical and tougher team. Ohio State’s defense was flattened by Michigan’s offensive line in late November. The Buckeyes couldn’t get important stops. They couldn’t get many defensive stops at all. Ohio State missed the Big Ten Championship Game for the first time since 2016. The Buckeyes did not make the College Football Playoff, either. They did win the Rose Bowl game against Utah thanks to a brilliant passing performance from Heisman Trophy finalist C.J. Stroud, but the Buckeyes know they didn’t achieve everything they set out to achieve in 2021. The 2022 season will be a time when improvement and toughness will be absolute requirements of every player.

Key Personnel Lost

Defensive coordinator Kerry Coombs was a failure last season. He is replaced by former Oklahoma State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles, who is expected to provide a significant upgrade. Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave, two elite receivers, are off to the NFL. Ohio State will have excellent receivers returning this year, but it won’t have the full complement of great receivers.

Important Incoming Freshmen

Linebacker C.J. Hicks and edge rusher Kenyatta Jackson are both top-60 national recruits in the 2022 class who will need to bolster an Ohio State defense which did not play particularly well last season. Ohio State had a hard time making tackles at the first point of contact against good running backs, and it had problems covering running backs and tight ends in open space. Hicks, at the linebacker spot, will try to shore up those multiple weaknesses from the 2021 season. Ohio State also didn’t get after opposing quarterbacks to the extent it needed to in 2021. Jackson will need to provide a boost in this regard. All in all, Ohio State needs a lot of impactful defensive players this season. Two of its freshmen will be called upon to be part of the solution.

Key Position Battles

Defensive line and linebacker are the two foremost needs for this team. Ohio State’s front seven was a disaster in 2021. Yes, part of this was former defensive coordinator Kerry Coombs being bad at his job, but it wasn’t just the flawed coaching which hurt the defense. A lot of defense comes down to a guy making a tackle in a one-on-one situation. With or without coaching, players have to have the instincts and toughness to make basic defensive plays, and Ohio State didn’t have enough of these guys in 2021. It is hoped that the coaching will be better, but players need to demand more from themselves. At defensive line and linebacker, Ohio State needs to see a lot of players refusing to accept mediocrity after enduring a brutal 2021 campaign.

Biggest Offseason Goal(s)

The Buckeyes have an elite offense. Their question marks and concerns all come from the defense. If Jim Knowles identifies who can help him win games, that’s all the Buckeyes would need to have a successful offseason.