How Ohio State plans to defend star Iowa RB and Ohio native Kaleb Johnson

Ohio State can’t sign every worthy high school football player in the state.

Good ones get away, and when they face the Buckeyes, there’s extra motivation.

That’s clearly the case with Iowa’s Kaleb Johnson, a Hamilton native, who has become one of the top running backs in the country.

Oct. 22, 2022; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes running back Kaleb Johnson (2) is tackled by Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Tommy Eichenberg (35) during the first half of Saturday’s game at Ohio Stadium in Columbus. Mandatory Credit: Barbara J. Perenic/Columbus Dispatch

On Tuesday, Johnson told reporters that Ohio State didn’t recruit him.

“Even if they offered me, I wouldn’t have went,” Johnson told. “I want to beat them. That’s my goal.”

Words like that get around. But the Buckeyes say they haven’t taken umbrage.

“We saw it, but we don’t really pay too much attention to that,” said Ohio State defensive end Jack Sawyer, a Pickerington native. “Obviously, you know he’s going to feel some type of way, and he’s a great back having a great season.”

More: For Ohio State football, Iowa’s defense poses toughest challenge so far this season

Johnson is second nationally in rushing yards with 685 and in rushing touchdowns with nine. He has nine runs over 25 yards.

“They’re just doing a great job of creating seams for him, and he’s a fantastic back,” OSU defensive coordinator Jim Knowles said. “Downhill. Breaks tackles. They’re creating formations and ways to make it hard on the defense to maintain your proper position. They get guys out of whack formationally, and then he’s able to crease it.”

More: Ohio State football reporters roundtable: Evaluating the Buckeyes’ start to Big Ten play

If the Hawkeyes (3-1), a 20-point underdog, is to pull the upset, the 6-foot, 225-pound Johnson likely will have to carry them.

“He’s a big…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/ohio-state-plans-defend-star-031314583.html

Author : The Columbus Dispatch

Publish date : 2024-10-03 03:13:14

Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.