Ohio State has fielded one of the most explosive offenses in the country during Urban Meyer’s tenure in Columbus, but three breakout defenders have the Buckeyes playing some dominant defense this season.
Co-defensive coordinators Luke Fickell and Chris Ash returned seven starters to a unit that surged down the stretch of the 2014 title run, but one returning starter, one new starter and one key reserve are fueling the key turnaround.
Gareon Conley
Ohio State had three starters back from a secondary that made huge strides in Ash’s aggressive—yet simplified—4-3 scheme a season ago, but the hole the unit had to fill with the departure of senior cornerback Doran Grant was a big one.
The leading candidates to replace Grant—sophomores Gareon Conley and Damon Webb and redshirt freshman Marshon Lattimore—were talented but inexperienced coming into the season.
Conley emerged during spring practice after a forgettable freshman campaign, when a lack of confidence plagued his ability to make the impact he was capable of. He locked down the starting spot in fall camp, and through four games, he’s been one of the Buckeyes’ top defenders.
“Last year I was a thinker,” Conley said, according to Austin Ward of ESPN.com. “I thought a lot about making mistakes and worrying about what-if this, what-if that. Now I just play to my ability and I know that my coaches and my teammates are confident in me.”
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Continue Reading: Ohio State Football: 3 Players Who Have Surprised Us in 2015
