Buckeyes linebackers prove talent, versatility

COLUMBUS – Ohio State's Sonny Styles and Arvell Reese aren't just two of the best linebackers in the Big Ten and beyond, they're also two of the most versatile. One of the big factors in that versatility is that they played other positions earlier in their college career, OSU coach Ryan Day said at his weekly press conference on Tuesday to preview the Buckeyes' game against Minnesota on Saturday night at Ohio Stadium. Styles was a safety his first two years at OSU before moving to linebacker last season. At 6-5 and 243 pounds he can line up close to the line of scrimmage in pass rushing situations. When Reese arrived at Ohio State, he played defensive line on the scout team. Reese is tied with Caden Curry for the team lead in tackles with 25 and has two sacks for the No. 1-ranked Buckeyes, who have given up only two touchdowns in their first four games. Styles is OSU's fourth-leading tackler with 20. Day described Styles as "a grown man" and said, "Sonny is a grown man – the way he plays, the way he handles his business, the way he leads, the way he communicates. It's like having a coach out there. I think he's a big part every day in the way our defense has matured. He's a big part of why our defense has had success up to this point. "He has a lot of versatility. He's very talented and communicates well. All of those things have had a major impact on our defense and allowed us to do different things." Day described Reese this way: "He's got great twitch, he's got great power. Every day he's getting better. He was a linebacker when he got here and he went in and played defensive line for a couple of months. He's a great example of a player who used that opportunity to get better. "Now the coaches can put him on the line of scrimmage to rush the passer because of what he learned in that moment. Now he can play at two different levels and Sonny can play at three levels," Day said. Some other thoughts from Day: TWO GUYS WITH AN EDGE: Day mentioned cornerback Davison Igbinosun and right tackle Phillip Daniels as two players who play with an edge. Igbinosun might have played with a little too much of an edge last season when he was frequently penalized for pass interference but seems to have corrected that problem so far this season. "He has always had an edge to him. That's why I love having him around," Day said. "He brings great energy to the table. There's great energy, there's an edginess, a toughness, a competitiveness, a grittiness. He's aggressive. "He did cross a line last year but we love his competitiveness. He had to learn technically what he had to do to improve that so that he didn't hurt the team. His edge rubs off on a lot of guys. From the minute he walked our campus he's had an effect. It doesn't matter who we're playing he's going to bring it every day. And that's in practice and on the field." Johnson, who grew up in Cincinnati, transferred to Ohio State after playing for Minnesota, where he started four games. He became the starter at right tackle during preseason practice. "He's made great progress," Day said. "He's earned his spot. He is a tough guy, he plays tough. He's right on the edge of it sometimes, which as a coach, is great until a flag comes out and then it's not great. "We love the passion, we love the intensity and how hard he plays. He gives us an edge. He is continually working to get better technically in everything he does and he has a higher ceiling than he has now. He brings a toughness and work ethic every day and we can build off that." INNIS STILL RETURN MAN: Brandon Inniss remains Ohio State's punt returner despite fumbling after a 32-yard return early in OSU's 24-6 win over Washington last Saturday. Day said, "I think that Brandon needs to hang on to the ball. Whether it's offense or special teams we're going to get it fixed. We believe in Brandon. If he didn't fumble that ball nobody would be asking if he's the right guy back there. He's had two good returns in the last two games. "We're going to count on him to get that fixed and make sure the ball is not on the ground. No one hurt more than he did when he put the ball on the ground. Hang on to the ball and we won't be having this discussion." MORE PLAYING TIME: Sophomore cornerback Aaron Scott Jr. has impressed Day with his work on kickoff coverage, which could get him more playing time. "Aaron Scott is going to start playing more football around here," Day said. FIELDING HONORED FOR TACKLE: Kicker Jayden Fielding shared Special Teams Defensive Player of the Week honors for his tackle on a Washington kickoff return. It was his second tackle of the season.