Ryan Day sets elite expectation for OSU defense under Jim Knowles

Ohio State had the offense to do something special in 2021. Unfortunately, the defense stumbled at key moments.

In an early-season loss, the defense looked lost and struggled at home in a nonconference meeting vs. Oregon. Then, in the regular-season finale, the Buckeyes were pushed around by Michigan as the Wolverines racked up 42 points in taking down Ohio State.

In the end, Ohio State landed with a new defensive coordinator in Jim Knowles. He joins the Buckeyes after a string of impressive seasons leading defenses at Duke and Oklahoma State.

During Day’s turn at the podium for B1G Media Days, he put the expectation of a top-10 defense from Knowles’ unit in 2022. Day did praise Knowles and his work in installing the new defense during the offseason.

Ryan Day on year one of Jim Knowles coordinating the defense: “We expect a top ten defense.”

— Pat Forde (@ByPatForde) July 27, 2022

Ryan Day says he thinks Jim Knowles and the rest of the defensive staff have done an “excellent” job installing Ohio State’s new defense this offseason.

— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) July 27, 2022

We’ll see if Knowles and the defense are up to the task.

Paul Harvey

Paul is a lifelong fan and student of all things college football. He has been covering college football since 2017 and the B1G since 2018.