Eric Boggs
After Ohio State’s 14-7 win over top-ranked Texas, defensive coordinator Tim Walton met with the media to reflect on his unit’s performance and outline what comes next for the Buckeyes. While Walton praised his players for their execution and poise in a high-pressure season opener, his central message was clear — the job is far from finished.
Walton highlighted the strong debut of several young players, including defensive back Jaylen McClain, who made his first career start against one of the most talented offenses in the country. “He did well,” Walton said. “He was very consistent during training camp. He plays with great effort and it showed in the game. He tackled well in space, communicated well, and played fast. So he had a great game as an opener, especially as a young guy.”
Developing depth in the secondary has been one of Walton’s top priorities, and he praised Gavin, Aaron Scott, and Bryce West for earning opportunities to contribute early in the season. “It’s critical,” Walton said. “We’ve got to develop depth and we’ve got to develop guys that keep coming and growing. All those guys are really, really good players for us, and we’re going to have a bright future, so we’re looking forward to continuing to get them playing time.”
Another player who stood out in the win over Texas was Lorenzo Styles Jr., who has transitioned into a more versatile role within Walton’s defense. Walton praised his ability to handle multiple responsibilities, saying, “He played well. He covered well, and we were moving him around and doing some good things. That was the first time he got a chance to play a lot of meaningful snaps — over 70 plays in the game. He executed well, played hard, and played with great effort, so we’re pleased with him.” Walton credited Styles’ intelligence and adaptability for helping him secure a more permanent role on the field.
Despite the national praise Ohio State’s defense received following its performance, Walton made it clear that there’s no room for complacency. “It was a pretty good defensive start,” Walton said. “But we own the week, too. You’re only as good as the next game. We put that behind us and now we have to make sure we get better every day at practice, keep growing, and make sure we keep stacking days and Saturdays.”
A key piece of Ohio State’s defensive identity this season has been the energy and leadership provided by Jermaine Mathews Jr., who Walton described as one of the team’s emotional sparks. “He’s ultra-competitive,” Walton said. “He’s one of the vocal guys that helps get us going, and the thing about it is he loves to compete. That part is good. We need it. It’s contagious and it brings energy and passion to the group.”
Walton also credited the continuity within the coaching staff for helping Ohio State’s defense execute at a high level against Texas, especially as new defensive coordinator Matt Patricia settles into his role. “Me and Coach G (Matt Guerrieri) have been working together for a while,” Walton said. “We’ve been together on the back end, so there’s a lot of carryover with the things we’ve been doing. It was easy for Coach Patricia to come in and pull that together because we’ve all been doing it for a while.”
Looking ahead to Saturday’s matchup against Grambling State, Walton stressed discipline and focus, noting that the Buckeyes can’t afford to overlook any opponent. “We have to do a great job,” he said. “We have to be disciplined. We have to go play at an elite level. Their quarterback can throw it and scramble around, so we have to make sure we’re on point with how we operate.”
For Walton, the message is simple: Week 1 was just the beginning. Ohio State’s defense may have delivered one of the most impressive performances in the country to open the season, but sustaining that standard every week will define the Buckeyes’ path forward. “The guys went out and executed and were poised and calm in the big moment,” Walton said. “But now we have to take the next step. We have to continue to grow, we have to execute, and we have to keep playing with great effort — because we have to make sure we do it every week.”
