How Buckeyes can get pass-rush 'cranked up' amid early-season struggles

COLUMBUS — Larry Johnson isn’t used to being in this position at Ohio State.

The legendary coach has a long list of NFL defensive linemen he has taught that rivals a CVS receipt. He’s largely considered the best in the country at what he does.

So it’s a bit puzzling for Johnson and the Buckeyes defensive line right now. They can’t get a consistent, noticeable pass-rush. They have just four sacks through three games, an unthinkable stat for such a talented unit.

Johnson knows it has to get better. A lack of pass rush impacts the entire defense, the ceiling of the Ohio State season — and even his own sleep schedule.

“We’ve got to get to the quarterback,” Johnson said. “Our guys know that. My room knows that. I know that.

“I don’t sleep well when we can’t get pressure on a quarterback, because that’s what we’ve got to do. And if we do that, we’ll change the game. We’ll change the game immediately. And that’s what we’re going to do going forward. We have to find ways to get to the quarterback. That might mean changing personnel, putting the right guys on the field to get it done. But the bottom line is we’ve got to get it done. It starts with me.”

Johnson can take the heat if he chooses; good coaches usually do. But the players on the field just aren’t living up to their skillset, billing and potential.

Former five-star Zach Harrison has a sack, which came in the season-opener against Minnesota. But that’s it. Another highly-regarded freak athlete, Tyreke Smith, has been consistently close to sacks but can’t get there in time to bring down the quarterback. Javontae Jean-Baptiste was tabbed as a potential breakout candidate in training camp, but he has little production to back it all up so far.

Simply put, the veteran defensive ends need to be better.

“There’s a lot of things that we have to improve on,” Johnson said. “We have to win one-on-ones when the opportunity presents itself. That’s the biggest thing. I don’t think it’s a technique thing. It’s just that when you get a one-on-one in a slide protection or max protection, you’ve got to try to win. So we’ll address that, and we’ll get better. The kids understand that. It starts with me.

“So we’ve got to get it cranked up and get it going.”

Johnson can see the progress. The defensive line, both on the ends and in the interior, are getting better. Against Tulsa, Ohio State had six tackles for loss, two sacks and four quarterback hurries. That’s a welcomed sign of an improving unit.

But the standard is set high for the Buckeyes Rushmen. And they won’t be lowered for this season.

“It needs to improve,” Ohio State coach Ryan Day said. “You know, when you play with the four-down front, you want to see disruption in the backfield. And so, we’re going to continually work on that and try to find ways to put them in the best position to be successful. But pressure does help. There are some one-on-one situations that we just have to do a better job executing.”

How can the Buckeyes get better mid-season? Veterans such as Smith, Harrison and Jean-Baptiste can start playing like veterans. Interior pass-rushers Haskell Garrett, Taron Vincent, Jerron Cage and Antwuan Jackson can do their part. Young players can begin to step up — something that is already happening with Ty Hamilton, Tyleik Williams, Jack Sawyer and J.T. Tuimoloau, among others.

And if they all come together, improve and build off each other as the season progresses, the Rushmen have a chance to become the dominant unit it’s used to being.

“We’ll spend all day and night to figure it out why,” Johnson said. “But we’ll get it fixed and find a way to get those guys going forward. They’ve got a lot of pride in that room. They aren’t sitting around smiling and everything. They know that we have some work to do, and they have to go to work.

“So that’s how you fix it.”

Until the issues are remedied and the Buckeyes are consistently getting in the backfield, don’t expect Larry Johnson to sleep well.