Ohio State coach Jim Knowles is making changes to the Buckeyes’ linebacker room.

As the Ohio State Buckeyes finished third in total defense, defensive coordinator Jim Knowles addressed with the media Thursday, focusing on junior Sonny Styles’ transition from safety to linebacker and what to expect from senior defensive ends Jack Sawyer and J.T. Tuimoloau. With Steele Chambers and Tommy Eichenberg joining the NFL, Knowles believes Styles will fit in nicely. “I felt long term in my vision for him that playing safety would give him a better perspective of the defense,” Knowles told the media. “One of the most important aspects of being a linebacker is knowing everything around you so that you can play quickly. Sonny shown a lot of stuff in the first two days.”

Styles, who had 53 tackles, two sacks, and a pass breakup last season, helped the Buckeyes have one of the best secondaries in the country, allowing fewer than 2000 passing yards for the season and just under 150 passing yards per game.

Although Styles and Simon will likely receive more playing time than others in the linebackers room, Knowles said they will still compete with rising juniors C.J. Hicks and Gabe Powers, who played in only six games in 2023. “Gabe is one of the most improved guys,” Knowles explained. He also wants Sawyer and Tuimoloau to call some of the plays and train them as outside linebackers. “If we’re strong inside, those guys can become more multiple,” Knowles went on to say.

Sawyer and Tuimoloau combined for 86 tackles, 11.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles in a season in which the Buckeyes allowed fewer than 120 yards rushing a game, ranking 27th in the country. Sawyer and Tuimoloau are just two of a group of juniors who have elected to return for one final chance at a national championship and a win over Michigan – a group that aims to halt a three-game losing run against the Wolverines and restore Ohio State football to its rightful place.

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