Photos: Key returners, up-and-comers fill second Ohio State spring practice
COLUMBUS — Ohio State is two spring practices in of its 15 spring practice schedule.
The glitz and glamour of the first day was all about the newcomers. Whether it’s transfers or the mid-year enrollees, the attention was on new faces inside the Woody Hayes Athletic Center. Thursday’s practice was a bit different, however.
There was an extended media session after practice highlighted by key defensive returners like Denzel Burke, Jack Sawyer, JT Tuimoloau, Ty Hamilton, Tyleik Williams, Cody Simon and Jordan Hancock.
Those seven members of the Silver Bullets are all returning starters, with Simon as a de facto returning starter. Not only will they bring plenty of experience to the forefront of the defense this year, but there’s also a leadership component that carries a lot of weight given this program’s internal expectations as laid out by Burke.
“It’s definitely Natty or bust man, that’s our mentality this year,” Burke said. “No excuses, we’ve got to win it all. We’ve been trying to preach that every single day. Our goal is to go out there every Saturday, hold each other accountable, play hard, make plays and turn the ball over.”
The Buckeyes defense isn’t shying away from the expectations ahead of this season. Two spring practices in, and the conversation from the players is already about playing for a national championship.
There could be some different looks by the defense as well. Lettermen Row’s Andy Backstrom detailed that in a story on Friday with comments made by defensive coordinator Jim Knowles.
“You’re always looking to get the best 11 on the field,” Knowles explained. “So when you look at a 12-personnel set, you say, ‘OK, I got [linebackers] Sonny [Styles], Cody [Simon] and C.J. [Hicks] with the four down.’ Could we have another component with Jack and J.T. and three tackles, and Cody and Sonny or Cody and C.J. Who’s going to be the best 11?”
Experimentation will be at an all-time high this spring for the Ohio State defense. Rolling out different looks and checks will be worked on this spring.
During the media viewing period at Thursday’s practice, Lettermen Row captured some images of those key returners for Ohio State.
