Ohio State’s defense was not good enough in 2018. The 71st ranking in total defense makes that an unarguable point. Ryan Day clearly recognized that when taking over as head coach, replacing all but one of the defensive coaches, defensive line coach Larry Johnson is the lone holdover. Perhaps there will be no bigger benefactors of the coaching changes than at linebacker. While the Buckeye defense was much better in 2017 — ranking ninth in the country in total defense — the linebacking group was still a mess that year, likely costing the Scarlet and Gray in both of the team’s losses that season, with an inability to stop the run or cover tight ends or slot receivers. Tasked to fix this position group is former Michigan linebackers coach Al Washington. Based on the early returns of the spring, things are improving in that room. “It’s been awesome and here’s…
Continue Reading: A fresh start could be best for Ohio State's linebackers
