Eric Boggs
With the season opener against Texas being only five days away, Ohio State safeties coach Matt Guerrieri believes the Buckeyes’ secondary is positioned to thrive thanks to a combination of depth, versatility, and emerging leadership. While replacing NFL-bound safety Jordan Hancock is no small task, Guerrieri is confident in the way multiple players have stepped up throughout camp to give the Buckeyes options in key defensive packages.
“Lorenzo’s had a great camp, done a really good job,” Guerrieri said when discussing the Nickel position battle. “We’ve rotated guys into different positions to build depth across the board, not just at that spot, and I’m definitely pleased with the growth there.”
That depth is central to Guerrieri’s philosophy. Rather than locking players into one position, he and co-defensive coordinator Tim Walton are focused on cross-training defensive backs to ensure maximum flexibility. “Part of our philosophy is to cross-train defensive backs,” Guerrieri explained. “We want guys who can run, cover, and tackle, and then we put them in positions where their traits give us the best chance to succeed. Jordan gave us great flexibility last year, but we’ve been training guys this way for a long time, and we feel confident about where we’re at.”
Several players have shown the ability to step into multiple roles, giving Ohio State a stronger foundation heading into a challenging schedule. Guerrieri praised Lorenzo Styles, Bryce West, Caleb Downs, and Jermaine Mathews for their versatility, saying, “You’ve got guys who’ve had really good camps and shown they can do a lot of things for us. It’s about putting the best guys on the field, not just labeling backups by position.”
One player drawing plenty of attention is freshman safety Faheem Delane, whose physicality and intelligence have impressed the coaching staff. “Faheem brings a physicality to the game — he’s a run-and-hit player,” Guerrieri said. “But he’s also a really highly intelligent player who approaches the game like a pro. He’s followed Caleb Downs’ lead, and credit to the vets for taking him under their wing. He’s earned our trust early.”
Speaking of Caleb Downs, the team captain and pre-season All-American has emerged as not only a playmaker but also a vocal leader for the Buckeyes. Guerrieri praised Downs’ growth both on and off the field, saying, “When he first came here, he wanted to get to know his teammates and earn their respect. He didn’t come in like he was the big dog. Now, as a third-year player and team captain, everybody looks at number two. The team’s going to go how he goes, and he’s embraced that responsibility.”
Downs’ versatility also opens up options for the coaching staff, allowing them to move him around depending on the opponent’s offensive structure. “We have multiple packages based on who’s in the game, and Caleb is a huge part of how we build our defense,” Guerrieri said. “He can play deep, he can blitz, he can play intermediate zones — he’s critical to everything we do.”
Beyond Downs, Guerrieri also highlighted the emerging chemistry and communication within the room, pointing to younger players like Jaylen McClain, who has consistently graded out as one of the team’s hardest workers. “Jaylen has the highest defensive back effort grade,” Guerrieri revealed. “He’s wired to go hard every day, he’s in my office early, and his consistency has been outstanding.”
With so many players capable of contributing, Guerrieri sees this group as one of Ohio State’s deepest and most versatile secondaries in recent memory. “It’s about finding the right groupings to put the best guys on the field,” he said. “We’ve got multiple game-ready players, and that gives us a lot of confidence heading into the season.”
The Buckeyes’ defensive backfield will face its first major test when Ohio State takes on Texas this Saturday in a highly anticipated Cotton Bowl rematch. If Guerrieri’s confidence is any indication, the secondary will be ready to meet the challenge head-on.
