https://www.landgrantholyland.com/2...s-oregon-ducks-larry-johnson-jim-knowles-2024
Knowles came to Ohio State known for his defensive scheme that runs a base 4-2-5 structure with a few twists. One of those twists was the JACK position, a stand-up edge rusher that plays as a linebacker/defensive end hybrid capable of rushing the passer or dropping back into coverage to confuse opposing offenses. The Buckeyes have a ton of players on their roster that would be perfect for this position, including guys like Arvell Reese and CJ Hicks, who were basically recruited for that exact spot.
So, why does a position that is so important to Knowles’ scheme not exist at Ohio State? The answer is Larry Johnson.
Ohio State has not fielded anything close to a good defensive line since the 2019 season, when Chase Young was basically wrecking opposing offenses by himself. Despite having five-star prospect after five-star prospect at his disposal year after year, Johnson has done nothing with it. In the two losses to Oregon and the three losses to Michigan, the Buckeyes have managed two sacks TOTAL. One of those was by Cody Simon, which means the defensive line has tallied ONE sack over those five losses.
A lack of pressure from the defensive line has been the one constant across all of these big game failures, and Johnson is to blame. Stuck in his ways, Johnson trots out his four-down front with zero creativity whatsoever, relying on each player to simply win his one-on-one matchups. That is all well and good... until you get into a talent equated game. There is hardly so much as a simple stunt from Ohio State’s defensive linemen, with four guys running straight into their blockers and remaining there until the play is over more often than not.
But what about that JACK position from Knowles’ scheme? Shouldn’t that mix things up for the pass rush? Sure, it would if Knowles was allowed to use the position.
Larry Johnson and Jim Knowles have feuded over the JACK position since the defensive coordinator arrived on campus. Rather than solving the dispute and telling the rest of his coordinators they must adapt to the man who is supposed to be the head coach of the defense in Knowles, Ryan Day has allowed LJ to play the seniority card and win the battle up front. Knowles, in effect, has control over only two-thirds of the defense, and the piece he is missing is both the most important one and the one that has been the least effective.
Knowles came to Ohio State known for his defensive scheme that runs a base 4-2-5 structure with a few twists. One of those twists was the JACK position, a stand-up edge rusher that plays as a linebacker/defensive end hybrid capable of rushing the passer or dropping back into coverage to confuse opposing offenses. The Buckeyes have a ton of players on their roster that would be perfect for this position, including guys like Arvell Reese and CJ Hicks, who were basically recruited for that exact spot.
So, why does a position that is so important to Knowles’ scheme not exist at Ohio State? The answer is Larry Johnson.
Ohio State has not fielded anything close to a good defensive line since the 2019 season, when Chase Young was basically wrecking opposing offenses by himself. Despite having five-star prospect after five-star prospect at his disposal year after year, Johnson has done nothing with it. In the two losses to Oregon and the three losses to Michigan, the Buckeyes have managed two sacks TOTAL. One of those was by Cody Simon, which means the defensive line has tallied ONE sack over those five losses.
A lack of pressure from the defensive line has been the one constant across all of these big game failures, and Johnson is to blame. Stuck in his ways, Johnson trots out his four-down front with zero creativity whatsoever, relying on each player to simply win his one-on-one matchups. That is all well and good... until you get into a talent equated game. There is hardly so much as a simple stunt from Ohio State’s defensive linemen, with four guys running straight into their blockers and remaining there until the play is over more often than not.
But what about that JACK position from Knowles’ scheme? Shouldn’t that mix things up for the pass rush? Sure, it would if Knowles was allowed to use the position.
Larry Johnson and Jim Knowles have feuded over the JACK position since the defensive coordinator arrived on campus. Rather than solving the dispute and telling the rest of his coordinators they must adapt to the man who is supposed to be the head coach of the defense in Knowles, Ryan Day has allowed LJ to play the seniority card and win the battle up front. Knowles, in effect, has control over only two-thirds of the defense, and the piece he is missing is both the most important one and the one that has been the least effective.
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