As is customary with any defense in obvious passing situations, a linebacker is usually removed from a traditional 4-3 defense to make way for an extra safety or cornerback.
While Ohio State coaches maintain there aren't any solidified starters in the linebacker room just yet, Malik Harrison appears to be a player the Buckeyes trust to be on the field at all times.
After the Spring Game, Ohio State coaches met with the media on April 18, and linebackers coach Bill Davis said that Harrison has been practicing mostly at outside linebacker, except when the Buckeyes practice their nickel package, at which point the junior bumps inside.
"Third down is when he takes over in the Mike backer, but that’s a whole different conversation. It’s a different animal," Davis said. "Malik is technically the Mike backer on third down, but that’s a different role."
The role of course, means calling out alignments for the defensive line, calling out the strong-side of an offensive formation amongst other critical responsibilities that a middle linebacker is counted on for.
Those responsibilities on first and second down will likely fall on the shoulders of either Baron Browning or Justin Hilliard to start the season as Tuf Borland recovers from an Achilles injury suffered during spring camp. In terms of leadership, Davis said the two middle linebackers and Harrison are the ones at the front of his room.
"Malik is a playmaker that’s got a lot of people looking at him. Baron’s a young man and Justin Hilliard are both Mike backers that are in charge and in front of people a lot. We had a bunch of guys take steps in leadership, but even Tuf is growing into that role," Davis said. "It’s exciting to watch them take their leadership role. We talk about leadership being more about actions than words, and I think that’s kind of what they’re trying to do."
The exciting thing for Davis is that most of the linebackers in his room are capable of playing any of the three linebacker spots and have been working on doing so throughout spring camp.
Both Browning and Hilliard are both capable of moving outside and competing for either outside linebacker spot once Borland returns from injury, according to Davis.
"That’s one of the great things about the flexibility of the defense and the scheme, is that if we can teach them and train them right, they have that ability to move out there," Davis said. "So you put your next best player out there, not just the next guy that knows 'Will' if that makes sense."
Dante Booker has been out for spring camp with an injury, and brings a veteran presence to the Ohio State linebacker room that could be needed after the likes of Jerome Baker and Chris Worley departed for the NFL. However, Booker appears to be on the outside looking in when it comes to playing time. When asked about deciding between a veteran with experience or a talented young player, Davis said the Buckeyes will go with the best option to help the defense get stops.
"First and foremost, who’s going to help the team win on this particular Saturday. That’s number one," he said.
Regardless of who takes the field for Ohio State against Oregon State on Sept. 1, it is clear Davis has his pick of a number of talented linebackers, though Harrison appears to be the one player who has locked up significant playing time.
