Here’s a summary of the things he discussed, including how he sees the offensive line and tight ends will determine the ceiling for the offense:
- The OL and TEs have to be good to let the skill guys ball out. Last year they put up big numbers but lost some games because they didn’t get all they needed from the offensive line and the tight ends. If that changes the offense can be elite, which means winning every game as opposed to just scoring lots of points.
- Quarterback C.J. Stroud is a veteran now but he still hasn’t played a lot so he has a high ceiling. He’s extremely smart and really sees the field well. He’s so good the coaches can’t get bored. They have to keep pushing him. Some quarterbacks just have a field sense and can see things others can’t. That can be improved but not created by coaches. He noted coaches typically see the game as they played it, like Day was a QB and Wilson played offensive line.
- The best way to learn what guys are seeing (and therefore what they understand) is to ask them. Then you go compare it to film and see if it matches up. If it doesn’t then there is a problem, and that can translate to a lack of trust from the coach and shake his confidence in what to call.
- With how good the receivers are, the tight ends need to be good enough they command the ball.
- If they are going to use 12 personnel, they need to have the ability to mash or pass. They have to be able to spread teams out if they bring in heavy personnel to stop the run.
Ohio State football: Sophomores poised to fortify defensive line https://t.co/55YXebA5OU
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- He has noticed new defensive coordinator Jim Knowles has things he believes in, and he knows how to use those things with the guys he has. They make the quarterback and the offensive line work to figure out what they are doing. If the offense has a good day, they have to earn it. Very competitive environment.
- Like Day, he agreed Ohio State really must have a tight end on the field all the time. Teams can load the box whether you do or not. If you have a tight end, it becomes seven on six instead of six on five, but there is still another gap to defend and more area to run. Maybe they could have done some 10 personnel with J.T. Barrett able to read a defender, but that’s probably not the best use of the players they have now.
- A strong running game plus play action plus moving the pocket and taking shots down the field is a nice formula for the offense.
- Wilson recounted a story about how his old boss, Randy Walker, used to tell running backs they need to keep an eye out for nickels and dimes instead of always trying to find the dollar when they run. Walker, who was a star running back at Troy High School, said those little runs will add up to big ones over time. That’s a good lesson for sophomore TreVeyon Henderson, who has the home run ability but it still developing the rest of his game.
- In moving to left tackle, Paris Johnson Jr. will have to get used to facing elite pass rushers without help. So it’s good he gets to see a bunch of them in practice. Dawand Jones has the same challenge. He needs to learn to be great on an island. He will constantly face mismatches without help, and he has to dominate those. That lets the quarterback work.
- In the Rose Bowl they didn’t realize how many of Utah’s corners were out so they thought it would be more of a running game. But once they figured out they could protect, it became a matter of going after the Utes’ depleted secondary. They also got a lot of passing yards out of the RPOs, which they count as part of the running game. Utah would load the box and Stroud would throw pass out to take advantage.
- Stroud is more confident and assertive this spring which is good for the offense overall. That gives the other players more confidence. It is even demonstrated with him having a louder snap count.
- Donovan Jackson might be the third OT at this point. He and Matt Jones are having good springs at guard. He feels good about the interior of the offensive line with the guards and Wypler.
- Cade Stover had a great winter as a leader for them and brings a great blocking presence. He needs to play with the same energy on offense he showed on defense. They’ll see how it goes. Wilson did not ask him to come back. It was Stover’s idea, but of course Wilson is happy to have him.
- Joe Royer and Gee Scott Jr. have been good so far this spring. He told them he needs them to keep doing what they are doing every day and just stack up good days and they will improve a lot.
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