During spring practices, Jashon Cornell spent all his time at defensive tackle. While enduring grueling summer workouts, he was under the impression he was working toward playing on the interior. Throughout preseason camp, he only played 3-technique.
Those plans changed in a single meeting on Sept. 25, the Sunday before Ohio State’s season opener against Florida Atlantic.
With an injury holding Jonathon Cooper out of action and Tyreke Smith and Tyler Friday seeming unlikely to play in the first game of the season due to their own injuries, defensive line coach Larry Johnson told Cornell he needed him back at defensive end, a position he hadn’t practiced since the week he spent preparing for the Rose Bowl.