Defensive Coordinator | Linebacker Coach Jim Knowles

Jim Knowles is considering the possibility of implementing a “double eagle” package that would utilize Jack Sawyer and JT Tuimoloau as outside linebackers in a 3-4 front. https://t.co/0QEB7L7FNB

— Eleven Warriors (@11W) March 7, 2024

 

• Knowles said Sonny Styles’ move to linebacker is “permanent,” but there could still be packages where he plays as a safety. He said Styles “had to fight to stay lean as a DB, now he gets to eat.”
• Styles and C.J. Hicks are competing with each other at Will linebacker, but there are packages that could put both Hicks and Styles on the field together, Knowles said.
• Gabe Powers was “one of the most improved guys” during the second half of last season in practice, Knowles said. “He made a huge jump … I feel like he is a guy that is going to compete. He’s a guy that’s going to be ready.”
• Knowles said he thinks Arvell Reese “can be a great linebacker, he just needs growth and learning.” He says he doesn’t know if Reese will have a role this year, but “that’s a guy you can always create something for that doesn’t involve as much thinking” because of how athletic he is. “His time will come.”
• Knowles said he is “really confident” about what Ohio State has at linebacker.
• On newly promoted linebackers coach James Laurinaitis: “He’s a lot nicer to them than I am. So last year, it was good cop/bad cop. Now the bad cop’s left the room. So I’m sure the players love it.”
• Knowles said he is looking at implementing a “Double Eagle” package that would deploy Jack Sawyer and JT Tuimoloau as outside linebackers with Hero Kanu joining Ty Hamilton and Tyleik Williams on a three-defensive tackle line. He says the Buckeyes haven’t installed that yet, though.
• Knowles felt that Jordan Hancock got to where he is now as a result of being able to play nickel full-time last season following Lathan Ransom’s season-ending injury that forced Ohio State to move Styles to the strong safety position.