Ohio State safeties coach Matt Guerrieri has high expectations from his unit in 2024.
Guerrieri expects his group to be the best in the country and is working toward building more depth at the position, as evident by the progress he's seen from Malik Hartford and Jaylen McClain in fall camp this year.
OSU's new safeties coach got into specifics about what he'd like to see collectively from his starters and backups this season and answered questions about specific players during an interview with reporters on Tuesday. Safeties Caleb Downs, Lathan Ransom and Malik Hartford each met with the media as well, along with linebacker Cody Simon, who spoke to reporters for the first time since receiving the Buckeyes' "Block O" jersey.
Matt Guerrieri
The standard at Ohio State, it doesn't matter who's in there wearing scarlet and grey, the expectation is for it to be the best in the country.– Matt Guerrieri on his expectations for OSU's safeties
- On Caleb Downs: “Physically he can do it all. He can cover, he can go drop down into the box and go play physical. He can play deep, he can play man, he can play zone, he can blitz. I mean he's versatile from that standpoint, but mentally is what's his separator. He's unique. His preparation level is unmatched, he sees it from a coach's lens. He's got to have one of the best football minds in the entire world. He's a special, special guy.”
- On safety depth: “Jaylen (McClain), Malik (Hartford), there's been a pool of guys that have done a really good job competing this camp. I know Jim talked about it the other day when he had his press conference with you guys, just growing the depth of the safety position. I knew that coming here that was a critical thing. You've got these guys that are battle-tested at the top, but as the season goes you've got to have more than just a couple guys.”
- On McClain, a freshman at safety: “He doesn't act like a freshman. What I mean by that is we talk about routine a lot, and he's a guy who wanted to gain a little bit of weight when he got here in the spring. So he would be in my office at, I don't know, I'd say probably no later than 5:30 in the morning in the offseason eating two chicken breasts and a bowl of rice. He doesn't love breakfast food, so that was his, ‘Hey I'm going to make sure I'm eating breakfast.’ … That's an example of just a maturity level and a seriousness about what he wants to get done here.”
- On how he’s seen Jim Knowles craft his defensive scheme at Ohio State: “Jim can adapt. That's what people don't talk probably enough about him is if you look at him over the years, he can adapt to his personnel, he can adapt to a conference. And he’s his hardest critic. So he's gonna say, ‘OK, hey, what went really well? Great, we acknowledge those things, let's watch all the negative plays. That's the first thing we do, let's watch all the negative plays. Then we say, ‘OK, where can we be better here?’”
- On Jayden Bonsu: “I've been pleased with Jayden's development as well. He brings a physical presence, you guys have seen him. He's done a good job in the spring, I thought he took steps forward. I thought in summer and fall he's been able to take steps forward as well.”
Caleb Downs
“I definitely take that serious. I mean, I feel like I’m an elite player with the ball in my hands. I would never not believe in myself to do something. I definitely believe that’s on the table.”– Caleb Downs on potentially playing running back this season
- Downs said he feels like he’s “part of the brotherhood now” after seven months on campus. “Going through the spring with them, going through the summer, going through fall camp, I just feel like it’s more of a brotherhood. I have better connections with everybody on the team and things like that.”
- Downs on potentially returning punts this season: “I’ve caught a lot of punts this camp. If they give me the opportunity to do that, I’ll be happy to. If they give it to somebody else, I’ll wish them the best, and I’ll be behind them.” When asked about his mindset when returning punts, Downs offered a one-word reply: “Score.”
- Downs said Will Howard has made “significant strides” and improvements in preseason camp. “I think he is an elite player.” Downs also said he’s been impressed with the running back room, including freshman James Peoples and Sam Williams-Dixon.
Lathan Ransom
“I feel like my whole life I’ve had a chip on my shoulder and been underrated. I continue to use it as fuel. I can’t wait to put the pads on and get to the season. I feel underrated. I feel like I’ve been forgotten. I can’t wait to remind everyone.”– Lathan Ransom on feeling underrated entering 2024
- Ransom said he is thankful to be back at Ohio State this season. Having missed time throughout his career with injuries, Ransom said he wants to encourage his teammates to be the best version of themselves each day. “I just always have a smile on my face. I joke around and have fun with everyone. I just appreciate being here, man. Every day to me is a blessing because I’ve had it taken away before. Every day I’m on the field and every day I’m around my brothers, I enjoy the moment.”
- Ransom said he “couldn’t wait” for Caleb Downs to arrive at Ohio State this offseason. “Just to compete with him every day. I think that’s what so special about our BIA room is just constant competition. … I feel like we have four or five DBs that could possibly win awards like the (Jim) Thorpe this year, so when you have stuff like that, it’s a special room.”
- Ransom said Ohio State’s defense has “hunger” this season. “Everyone is hungry to get to a place that we haven’t been in the last couple of years and finish the job. I think the last three years we’ve been hyped up as a great defense and great team, but haven’t finished the job… now, we (need to) go in there and just get the job done.”
Malik Hartford
“I think that Coach preaches competitive excellence, and that means putting yourself in position to make the play. And that means practicing harder, that means taking each rep like it’s that big moment in the game, and that’s definitely what I’ll try to do this year.”– Malik Hartford on what he learned from giving up a touchdown against Michigan
- Hartford was sidelined by a labrum injury in his shoulder this spring. “Being sidelined was definitely tough,” Hartford said, but he said he still “got better in some way” every day by watching film and working with Matt Guerrieri and Tim Walton.
- Jaylen McClain is “special,” Hartford said. “He’s all over the field, man. He runs to the ball every play. He hits hard. He’s making plays on the ball. He has a lot of potential, and I’m excited to see what he does this year.”
- Hartford said Caleb Downs is “such a likable teammate, a great teammate” and “pushes me to be better every day.”
- Hartford said all the safeties are getting reps at both adjuster (free safety) and bandit (strong safety). He feels comfortable playing both positions and says you have to be able to do everything in both spots, so it’s not a huge transition from one to the other.
- Hartford said he currently weighs 195 pounds and is looking to bulk up to 200 pounds.
Cody Simon
“I don’t think you can ever really expect it. I was praying and hoping just to be a captain. To also get Block O, I am extremely honored and I am so thankful for the opportunity.”– Cody Simon on being named Ohio State’s Block O recipient
- Simon said he’s dreamed of being the captain of a college football team since he was a child. “Being a captain in college football – you see those guys walk out on TV in the biggest game, and you’re like, ‘I want to be there when I’m older.’ For me, it was really emotional. I was so thankful for it.”
- Simon said his leadership style has been formed over years of first being led by his Ohio State teammates. “You never really know until you get to the hard moments and guys can lean on you and look to you to lead. Me as a leader has never (been about) me becoming, it’s been me taking parts of guys who led me. Tommy (Eichenberg) is probably the best leader I’ve been around. … Guys like that, when you can take a little bit from them and implement it, it goes miles.”
- In addition to Eichenberg, Simon said he’s been inspired by other Ohio State teammates he’s played with over the years, including former Block O winners Jonathon Cooper, Thayer Munford, Kam Babb and Xavier Johnson.
