Presser Bullets: Jim Knowles Wants to Play More Aggressive on Defense With More Blitzes, Says Caleb Downs is a "Coach's Dream" and the Will Linebacker Competition is "Neck-and-Neck"

Finishing top three in scoring, total and passing defense, the unit led by defensive coordinator Jim Knowles returns nine starters and added a superstar transfer at safety in Caleb Downs.

Knowles took to the lectern for the first time in fall camp on Friday, and early on, it became clear that he has plans to run a more aggressive defense in 2024. Now that the Buckeyes proved their mettle in pass coverage, the plan is to run more blitzes and be less "predictable."

Knowles added that the competition between Sonny Styles and C.J. Hicks at Will linebacker is "neck-and-neck" and said Caleb Downs is a "coach's dream" with his football smarts and talent.

• On where the defense can improve after such an accomplished season: "We want to emphasize those things that we can get better at. Being a Silver Bullet defense means being a top-five defense. We were top five in a lot of things – but not all of them. ... Blitzing. We need to be more aggressive in terms of the calls."
• Knowles added that disguise is an area where the defense is trying to improve.
• On the Will linebacker between Hicks and Styles: "In 4-2 scheme, I think they're both neck-and-neck right now. We've got to continue to look at ways to get all three of them (with Simon) on the field."
• Knowles said the team's depth behind Jordan Hancock at nickel "concerns me."
• On whether he wants the defense to be more multiple in 2024: "Multiple, yes. A lot of that happens with disguise, but more calls out of the base look, more attack defenses out of the base look. ... Year one, gave up some big plays. Year two, we were top five in explosive plays, but not as high in sacks and negative plays."
• Knowles likes the team's depth at defensive tackle and lofted some high praise toward Caden Curry, who could play either defensive tackle and defensive end. "Deep. You'd like to have six tackles. You mentioned Hero (Kanu) and Kayden (McDonald), but you've got to keep an eye on Caden Curry."
• On how much Mitchell Melton can help the defense: "He really impressed me when I first got here, but man, he's battled injuries. ... You've got really good depth there (with Curry and Kenyatta Jackson Jr.)."
• On Styles: "He's gained weight, strength, he's well-respected by everybody. He makes that move to Will, and you just see a lot of production. You see a guy who understands football. I've had a lot of success bringing safeties down to linebacker because they see the whole picture."
• Knowles likes what he's seen from Gabe Powers this offseason and says he's being "groomed" to back up Cody Simon as the team's Mike. "Gabe really started to show up end of last season and did a great job in the offseason."
• On Caleb Downs: "He's a coach's dream. He understands everything. He picks everything up. He takes the meeting room to the field."
• On Tywone Malone: "We've become accustomed to our defensive tackles making tackles. I've seen improvement from Tywone, so he's going to be in that battle for playing time."
• Knowles said that the Jack position is "always there" but he doesn't think it's the "answer" with the talent the Buckeyes have this year.
• The Buckeyes can't settle for just being good in 2024, Knowles added – they need to strive for something greater. "Vince Lombardi said it, you have to chase perfection. It's not possible, but you catch excellence in the process."
• Part of the reason Knowles wants to ramp up the defense's aggression in 2024 is due to the big plays Missouri made down the stretch in the Cotton Bowl. He wants his defense to be less predictable. "You look at our last game, we had a shutout close to the fourth quarter. ... When you stay in anything too long or you become predictable, it doesn't matter who you're playing. ... Like Missouri did, run some guy to the other hash."
• On Jermaine Mathews Jr.: "Jermaine has already shown us that he can play in the big moments. ... That's why he's (working at) some nickel."
• On Calvin Simpson-Hunt: "I think Calvin is still proving himself. I think he had a good day today, but need to see more of that out of him."
• Styles' transition from safety linebacker hasn't been difficult in terms of learning the position, Knowles said. "You always expect some kind of initial dropoff or learning curve, but I think Sonny has been at the top of the learning curve since the time he started (the switch)."
• On why he feels Jack Sawyer surged at the end of last season: "Confidence at the end of last season. Great bowl game. Just confidence and Jack is always a really good-natured personality, but you can see how serious he is about his craft. He has seemed to really advance it to next-level stuff."
• Arvell Reese is a player Knowles wants to get some playing time this year at linebacker. "Talented and just has made great strides. How's he gonna fit in this year, I don't know. We've gotta get him those game reps and see how he handles it to really prove himself. ... He's come a long way in a year. ... He can do a lot of things. He can play defensive end, he can play Jack, he can do a lot of things. It's always something that's in the back of my mind."
• Knowles had his own thoughts to add on Jeremiah Smith when asked: "If you put him in a one-on-one situation, even against our best, you're kind of holding your breath."