During the first half of Ohio State’s 2021 season, there might not have been any position group on the Buckeyes’ roster that went through more tumult than the linebackers.
Ohio State’s linebacker play was an evident liability early in the season, when the Buckeyes gave up 31 points and 408 yards against Minnesota, 35 points and 505 yards against Oregon and 20 points and 501 yards against Tulsa. Then, the Buckeyes lost two fourth-year linebackers in the span of one week. Dallas Gant entered the transfer portal on Sept. 22, and in the Akron game just three days later, a sideline outburst from K’Vaughan Pope resulted in the end of his Ohio State career.