Safeties are not often regarded as the cornerstone of a defense. Sure, it’s important to have reliable ones as the unit’s last line of defense, but linemen, cornerbacks and linebackers are often deemed more crucial. That’s why it was telling when new Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles placed a premium on the safety position after the team’s first spring practice Tuesday. “This is a safety-driven defense,” he said. “It really is.” Knowles and coach Ryan Day believe the position could be stacked. That wasn’t the case last year, at least after Josh Proctor was lost to a season-ending leg injury against Oregon in the second game. The Buckeyes gradually evolved away from a single-high-safety approach after Bryson Shaw replaced Proctor to use a more conventional alignment with two deeper safeties. When Josh Proctor becomes healthy, he could be in line to play the adjuster position at safety. How Ohio…
Continue Reading: 'A safety-driven defense.' Ohio State to lean on that position in Jim Knowles' scheme
