Ohio State has the pieces to make Jim Knowles' defense the best in the country

Ohio State was knee-deep in a quarterback battle this spring, putting most of the focus on the offensive side of the ball. However, one thing was abundantly clear in the spring game.

This Buckeye defense is for real.

Though spring game numbers never tell the full story, the defense was clearly a step ahead throughout Saturday’s action. The defense registered 6 sacks and 9 tackles for loss to frustrate the offense at times.

It was a vintage performance from Jim Knowles-led unit, and it’s certainly one that inspires a lot of confidence for the fall after finishing 2nd nationally with 11.2 points allowed per game a season ago. (Fans likely do not need the reminder it was Michigan who finished first nationally with 10.4 points per game allowed.)

The performance clearly made an impression on those watching the action.

“That defense is likely going to be as good as any defense in the country. I’d be pretty surprised if they’re not the best defense in the country,” said Joel Klatt. “They bring almost everybody back and then they add Caleb Downs.”

“Defense was forcing turnovers, they were really disruptive… It was kind of refreshing to see some 3rd-down pressures which you don’t really see in the spring,” echoed ESPN’s Greg McElroy.

As for the best group on the defense, it was a secondary that stood out to Klatt, even without Lathan Ransom in action. The unit registered 4 interceptions and 6 pass breakups, and Klatt believes their depth could be a key factor this season.

“They’re going to be fantastic on the back end in the secondary. Lathan Ransom didn’t even play on Saturday, and they’ve got great corners. They’ve got Caleb Downs, and there was really nowhere to throw the football on that secondary,” Klatt explained. “And even the depth they had with some of their younger guys was really incredible.”

“I do think the bright spot in the secondary was terrific. They had 4 picks in the spring game… I think there was a lot to like about what we saw from the secondary,” McElroy echoed.

Potential X factor

While Knowles’ group is a safety-driven defense (and his group of safeties looks exceptional this year), he spent one portion of his Saturday press conference extolling a fair amount of praise on his group of cornerbacks. The way Knowles explained it, his group of corners has the ability to change how you call the defense with their ability to compete on the outside.

“When you have corners you can count on who are going to compete no matter what the situation is… It changes the way you call the entire game. You’re able to leave those guys on an island,” said Knowles. “You’re able to switch up coverages, and they know what they’re doing and they take great pride in it. It’s a big deal.”

Last season, Ohio State’s pass defense was already elite while holding opponents to a 52.7% completion percentage and just 145.9 yards per game through the air. If that group is even deeper this year, watch out.

After arriving in Columbus in 2022, Knowles has improved the defense each season of his tenure. Now, Knowles has the full pieces to finally elevate the Buckeyes to being the best defense in the country.

If that happens, this could be the year Ryan Day delivers his first national championship at Ohio State.