The Buckeyes have to get closer to their production in Johnson's early days in Columbus.
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Ryan Day continues to have faith in Larry Johnson, but future production much match the history
The Buckeyes have to get closer to their production in Johnson's early days in Columbus.
There was a point when Ohio State had the best defensive line room in the country. The Buckeyes recruited some of the best defensive linemen and developed others. The NFL is currently littered with former Scarlet and Gray defensive linemen.
At the heart of Ohio State’s defensive line success was Larry Johnson. After arriving from Penn State in 2014, Johnson continued his success from State College in Columbus. The defensive line was key in helping the Buckeyes win the first College Football Playoff national championship, and the unit was in the top 10 in the country in sacks five of Johnson’s first six years.
Since 2020, however, the defensive line hasn’t been as successful. The Scarlet and Gray haven’t been in the top 30 nationally in sacks in any of the last four seasons. While that is not the only factor in determining defensive line production, it is one key statistic that determines how defensive linemen, especially edge rushers, are judged.
Johnson also consistently put pro-ready defensive linemen in the NFL. From 2016 to 2020, Ohio State had 10 defensive linemen selected, eight of which were in the first three rounds. Between Joey Bosa, Nick Bosa and Chase Young, the Buckeyes had three defensive ends taken in the top three picks in different drafts.
The Scarlet and Gray have had four defensive linemen taken in the last three drafts, none in the first two rounds. This has led to criticism of Johnson and concern among Ohio State fans that he doesn’t have the magic that made him the best defensive line coach in college football for years.
Additionally, Johnson is 72 years old, which gets used against him in recruiting more each passing year. This nearly cost the Buckeyes commit Eddrick Houston, the No. 7 defensive lineman in the 2024 class.
Because of this, Scarlet and Gray head coach Ryan Day faced questions about Johnson’s future on the first day of the early signing period. Day made it clear that Johnson is not retiring, despite rumors circulating that he may do so this offseason.
“It's funny, guys have brought that up over the years in recruiting, but he's young in terms of his approach every day,” Day said. “He's got a lot of energy and he wants to continue to coach. And the guys in the room love him. And so, yeah, he's still got a lot of energy when it comes to coaching, and he still has a passion for coaching. And his wisdom, his experience is the best in the country. And our guys know that and certainly people recognize that in recruiting.”
Houston visited Alabama and Clemson shortly before the early signing period due to concerns about Johnson’s possible retirement. Whether Day’s message about Johnson was intended for Houston, or if Houston heard it, isn’t clear, but it worked. Shortly after Day backed Johnson, he had to interrupt his press conference for a phone call. Later, Day confirmed that the call was with Houston, but only after Ohio State received his signed letter of intent.
Despite what Day said regarding Johnson, Ohio State has signed only two defensive linemen in the 2024 class. Aside from Houston, the Buckeyes’ only defensive line signee is Eric Mensah, the No. 778 overall prospect. The last time the Scarlet and Gray signed only two defensive linemen in a class was in 2007 when they signed Cameron Heyward and Solomon Thomas.
While there is still time to add another defensive lineman or two, and Ohio State very well might, the Buckeyes lost five-star Justin Scott to a flip to Miami in late November. Scott became the latest in recent classes to not commit late in the process or flip his commitment from the Scarlet and Gray. At least some of these recruiting losses have been attributed to Johnson’s age.
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