Ohio State's defense boasts impressive versatility with players like Caleb Downs and Jordan Hancock capable of playing multiple positions. This adaptability allows coach Knowles to deploy different looks and confuse opposing offenses.
He’s one of those special – really, really special players,” Kelly said Wednesday. “His football IQ is off the charts.”‘I am that guy’: Ohio State 2027 QB target receives offer from Buckeyes What could Browns' QB depth chart be in 2025? Previewing Ohio State vs. Texas: Wednesday’s Sports 4 CLEThere were moments where Ohio State thought Downs – who spent his freshman season at Alabama – would have to help at running back due to a lack of depth.
Pro Football FocusWhile that isn’t his position, it’s a testament to how Knowles slots him into different spots on the field. “I feel like if you have me in the post, I can make plays,” Downs said. “If you have me in man, I can make plays. If you have me in the box, I can make plays. To me, it doesn’t really matter.”Traditionally, Downs has played at safety while Hancock has served as a third cornerback. However, Hancock has seen his snaps at free safety increase. In a Week 9 win against Nebraska, Hancock played 26 snaps at free safety due to the absence of starting safetyIn a first-round win against Tennessee, he recorded 39 snaps at free safety. His season-high total jumped to 40 in a Rose Bowl win against Oregon on Jan. 1. “It gives us a lot of different looks,” Hancock said. “I can drop down in man, play zone. It gives the defense a whole different look. There’s a lot of stuff I can do within the defense. That’s what coach Knowles has done for me in the defense.”However, with the versatility of Downs and Hancock, the Buckeyes are favored to slow down an explosive unit. “The fact that Caleb, Jordan and Lathan can move around like that, they have versatility,” Kelly said. “They can present some different pictures for quarterbacks and some other teams, I think.”
Ohio State Defense Versatility Caleb Downs Jordan Hancock
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