Jack Sawyer and JT Tuimoloau could play some snaps as outside linebackers in their senior seasons at Ohio State.
In his first interview session of the year on Thursday, Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles revealed that he is considering adding a “double eagle” package to the defense that would deploy Ohio State’s starting defensive ends as edge-rushing linebackers around three interior defensive linemen, effectively turning the Buckeyes’ defensive front into a 3-4.
That revelation came as part of Knowles’ answer in response to a question about third-year defensive tackle Hero Kanu. As the Buckeyes look for ways to get Kanu and other backup defensive linemen involved in the defense this year behind the starting quartet of Sawyer, Tuimoloau, Ty Hamilton and Tyleik Williams, a package that puts five defensive linemen on the field could be one way for Ohio State to do so.