As of now, they might not even be starters on Ohio State’s defensive line.
That could change for high-profile senior transfers James Smith, Qua Russaw and John Walker, though whether they take a game’s first snaps might not matter much.
Defensive line coach Larry Johnson likes to rotate players liberally, and he should have plenty of depth this season. Starters or not, it is clear that Walker, Smith and Russaw are a big part of Ohio State’s defensive plans.
“We need them to have a major impact,” coach Ryan Day said Saturday after the team’s intrasquad scrimmage. “We’re counting on that.
“They’re all a little bit different. John is big, strong and powerful. James is a little quicker and very disruptive. Qua (pronounced Kway) is a little more on the edge and a pass rusher can do some things in the flat. He’s very versatile in what he does.”
Smith and Russaw grew up together in Montgomery, Alabama, and were teammates at Carver High School and for the Alabama Crimson Tide.
“He’s my roommate, and we basically do everything together,” Smith said. “It’s very special to have somebody on my side who really understands me and knows me for a long time.”
Smith and Russaw were blue-chip recruits who haven’t fully tapped into their potential.
They came to Ohio State seeking a fresh start. But they were not a package deal. Russaw wasn’t sold on the Buckeyes during his visit.
“I’m not going to lie, when I left here, I was kind of like, ‘I don’t know if I want to go here,’” Russaw said.
He also visited Tennessee and Notre Dame. But eventually he believed in defensive coordinator Matt Patricia’s scheme and his ability to adapt to players’ strengths. For Russaw, that means playing as a standup defensive end.
But he is a defensive end, not an outside linebacker. He spends his time with Johnson, not linebackers coach James Laurinaitis.
Russaw was hampered by injuries at Alabama. He got only 215 snaps last year. Russaw hopes that Johnson and Patricia can help him unleash his considerable potential.
Asked what unique skills he has, Russaw replied, “Definitely, my speed off the edge and my relentless effort to get to the quarterback.”
At 6-foot-2 and 244 pounds, Russaw is likely to be deployed as a situational pass-rusher rather than an every-down player. The Buckeyes have bigger defensive ends in Kenyatta Jackson and Beau Atkinson who can hold up better against the run.
Stopping the run is more the forte of Smith and Walker. As of the Buckeyes’ early training camp practices, they were playing behind veterans Will Smith Jr. and Eddrick Houston. But Smith and Walker should be more than just complementary players.
“I’m honestly so grateful to be a part of something greater than myself,” Smith said.
Smith, who got 422 snaps at Alabama last year, said he is embracing Ohio State’s tough-love culture.
“In the spring,” he said, “coach J had a saying, ‘You’ve got to drink the Kool-Aid. What I’m saying to you may sound new, so you may not really want to do it because it’s different. But you have to trust me. I’m all-in with you, and if you drink it, I can get you where you want to be.’”
Smith is also soaking in everything he can from Patricia. He said he spends 90 minutes a day with him until 10:30 p.m. after meetings, watching film and learning the defense.
As close as Smith and Russaw are, they have distinct personalities. Russaw is quiet. Smith is outgoing and described as one of the funniest players on the team. He quickly earned a place on the team’s leadership committee.
Walker almost was a Buckeye from the start. Ohio State recruited him hard, but he decided to stay close to home at the University of Central Florida for family reasons.
He was a starter last year and finished with 40 tackles. His goals this year are lofty.
“I’m trying to win the Big Ten championship, and personally, I want to be the best defensive tackle in the country,” he said.
Walker said Johnson hasn’t established a depth chart yet.
“Right now, coach is letting us go out there and play ball and let’s us play free,” Walker said.
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