Buckle up: spring football is officially here. Ohio State enters the 2022 spring with a chip on their shoulders. After losing to Oregon and Michigan in 2021 and failing to win the Big Ten for the first time in four years, the Buckeyes will look to rewrite the narrative in 2022. The Silver Bulletin previewed the offensive side of the ball earlier. Now we dive into the defense.

There is no denying the Buckeyes have talent on the defensive side of the ball. Between seasoned veterans and highly ranked recruits, new defensive coordinator Jim Knowles will have plenty to work with. With that being said all positions should be up for grabs during this camp.

A little over a month away the Buckeyes have plenty of time to mix and match players to find the best defensive unit. The Spring game will take place April 16th which gives Knowles and his staff plenty of time. Here are the biggest storylines to keep an eye on heading into spring ball.

Biggest Question: Can Jim Knowles fix the defense?

The Ohio State defense was dreadful in big games last season. Oregon and Michigan manhandled the defensive units on the ground in both losses. Toughness was the biggest issue for the defense last season. The linebackers struggled shedding blocks and wrapping up ball carries. The defensive line was inconsistent getting into backfields and lacked a true alpha. To top it all off, the secondary seemed lost at times when it came to communication. Look for Knowles to try and go back to basics in the spring so the defense can hit the ground running for fall camp.

Biggest X-Factor: Cade Stover’s development at linebacker

The linebacker position was lackluster in 2021. A lot of guys rotated in and out in the hopes of finding the right combination. Steele Chambers, Cody Simon, Teradja Mitchell, Tommy Eichenberg, and Palaie Gaoteote all played meaningful snaps in 2021. However, the unit as a whole struggled despite each individual flashing at times.

Enter four-star linebacker recruit Cade Stover. Despite playing tight end for the majority of his career at Ohio State, the Mansfield native shined at linebacker in the Rose Bowl recording 6 tackles for a unit that desperately needed someone to step up. Stover has the size and athleticism to be a nightmare in the Big Ten. The question is how well can the coaching staff develop Stover as a linebacker?

Biggest Expected Jump: The defensive line

Ohio State has three young studs on the defensive line. Tyleik Williams, Jack Sawyer, and J.T. Tuimoloau all played impactful snaps in 2021. The problem was all three were freshman that were still learning the college game. Now these three studs have a full offseason under their belts. Larry Johnson has always been a master at developing his players. Barring injuries, this three headed monster should be one of the top units in the nation. Additionally, Zach Harrison returns for a fourth season looking to finally live up to his high school hype.