Pete Werner provides Buckeyes with unmatched versatility
COLUMBUS — Pete Werner never received the praise last season for Ohio State.
He wasn’t an all-conference selection. He wasn’t mentioned when the superstars of America’s No. 1 defense were lauded.
But Werner was critical to the Buckeyes success a season ago. His versatility is unmatched for Ohio State, and if the defense wants to remain elite, Werner will have to provide that same production in his senior season.
“It was funny, I was on the phone with Coach Washington and we were talking [about last season],†Werner said after a March practice. “He was like: ‘You played every position on the field except six technique.’ But I’m doing what Coach tells me to do, and I’m just feeling some things through — we’ll see what happens.”
Werner played in the box as a run-stuffer. He defended the best tight ends in the league — and shut them down. He rolled back to the middle of the field to play safety. He effectively shuttered any talk of other candidates to star in the fabled Bullet position for the Buckeyes a season ago.
He was versatile enough to take that spot over himself.
Ohio State linebacker Pete Werner can play in space against bigger pass-catchers.
And he never let it go. Werner finished last season second on the team in tackles, and he added 5.5 tackles for loss, three pass deflections and two fumble recoveries in the process.
Entering his senior season, Werner will be huge yet again for a loaded linebacker room. He could even be voted as a captain beside Tuf Borland for the defense.
“We have to do a really good job of trying to create ways to think outside the conventional defense and put guys in roles so that they can do what they do best,†Al Washington said in March. “That is what we’re doing now.”
It’s not as hard to get creative with Werner, who seems to be comfortable no matter where he is on the field. At 240 pounds, Werner dropped his body fat percentage over the winter to make himself more athletic. But that doesn’t stop him from playing the run like a traditional linebacker should.
Pete Werner can be a run-stuffer in big moments for Ohio State.
While Washington continues to find roles for a potentially deep rotation of linebackers, Werner makes Washington’s job a little easier. A traditionally-built linebacker with athletic skills for coverage and the ability to play anywhere in space? Werner seems like a coach’s dream.
He’s also a willing listener who will do whatever Washington and the defensive staff ask him to. That’s the kind of player Werner is for the Silver Bullets defense.
“There’s not really much discussion,” Werner said. “Coach told me to play a spot, and I’m playing there. It could change tomorrow. It’s kind of free-flowing, but I’m just doing what the coaches tell me to do.â€
With one year left to play at Ohio State, Pete Werner continues to prove his versatility. And the Buckeyes defense will be better for it, even if he’s not getting the praise.