Spring Game Insights: Matt Patricia’s Linebacker Corps Shows Promise Under New System

When Matt Patricia was hired as Ohio State’s defensive coordinator in February, questions immediately arose about how he would rebuild a defense that lost eight starters from last year’s championship unit. Following the spring game, one position group has emerged as a potential strength despite significant turnover: the linebacker corps.

Led by returning starter Sonny Styles and emerging junior Arvell Reese, Ohio State’s linebackers showcased promising development throughout spring practice, culminating in impressive performances during the spring game. For a position group that lost stalwart middle linebacker Cody Simon to graduation, the spring progress suggests Matt Patricia’s defensive rebuild remains on solid ground.

Reese, who played as the third linebacker in certain packages last season, has been one of the revelations of spring practice. Taking over Simon’s critical middle linebacker role, Reese’s combination of size, length, and athleticism has impressed both Matt Patricia and linebackers coach James Laurinaitis.

“His length and his ability to move around and position flex just makes him all the more valuable,” Laurinaitis explained. “We’re realizing everything Arvell Reese can do. And it’s a lot.”

This versatility aligns perfectly with Matt Patricia’s defensive philosophy, which emphasizes players who can handle multiple responsibilities within a single scheme. As the defensive signal-caller, Reese faces significant pressure in his first year as a full-time starter, but spring practice suggests he’s embracing the challenge.

Matt Patricia’s Physical Defensive Identity

Equally impressive has been sophomore Payton Pierce, whose natural instincts and physicality have drawn praise from the entire defensive staff. Laurinaitis called Pierce an “absolute natural” with exceptional spatial awareness and tackling technique derived from his wrestling background.

“Payton’s awesome. Tough. Just like an absolute natural,” Laurinaitis said. “His feel in the box and his ability to maneuver and feel blocking schemes. He’s got that wrestling background, so his striking ability and the way he snags and then runs his feet on contact, it’s just a throwback, man. I love Payton. I expect Payton to have a lot of playing time.”

Matt Patricia has been particularly impressed with Pierce’s physicality and developing command of the defense. “One thing about Payton Pierce right away, like we go to inside drill or anything, everyone’s going to feel Payton Pierce right away. He comes downhill with a physicality that is phenomenal,” Patricia observed.

This downhill aggression represents a perfect match for Matt Patricia’s defensive philosophy, which emphasizes disruption and physicality at the point of attack. Pierce’s ability to diagnose plays quickly and deliver decisive tackles fits precisely what Patricia seeks in his run defense, particularly against power-running opponents.

The spring game also provided glimpses of Patricia’s plans for Sonny Styles, the returning starter who brings valuable experience to the linebacker room. While Styles sat out portions of spring practice, his limited participation provided opportunities for younger linebackers to develop while preserving a key defensive piece for fall competition.

Implementing Matt Patricia’s Multiple-Package Approach

Beyond the established veterans, Ohio State’s linebacker room showcases promising young talent that could contribute immediately. True freshmen Riley Pettijohn, TJ Alford, and Eli Lee all showed flashes during spring practice, with Matt Patricia’s multiple defensive packages potentially creating specialized roles for these developing players.

The linebacker development is particularly significant given Patricia’s defensive background. During his tenure with the Patriots, linebackers like Dont’a Hightower, Jamie Collins, and Kyle Van Noy served as cornerstone pieces of championship defenses, handling multiple responsibilities from pass rushing to coverage duties. The emergence of versatile linebackers like Reese and Pierce suggests Matt Patricia may implement similar concepts at Ohio State.

One significant change observed during spring practice was Patricia’s emphasis on conceptual understanding rather than rigid positional responsibilities. Rather than assigning linebackers to specific gaps or coverage zones exclusively, Matt Patricia’s teaching focused on recognizing offensive tendencies and adjusting accordingly. This approach creates more adaptable defenders capable of handling the multiple offensive looks presented in modern college football.

The spring game also revealed Patricia’s plans for linebacker utilization in various defensive packages. While maintaining the 4-2-5 base defense that served Ohio State well under previous coordinator Jim Knowles, Matt Patricia introduced personnel groupings featuring three linebackers in certain situations. This flexibility allows him to maximize available talent while creating favorable matchups against different offensive personnel groups.

As Patricia continues implementing his defensive system, the linebacker position represents a fascinating case study in his adaptive coaching approach. Rather than forcing players into predetermined roles, he’s identifying specific strengths and creating opportunities for linebackers to showcase their unique abilities.

With summer workouts approaching and fall camp on the horizon, continued linebacker development will remain central to Matt Patricia’s defensive rebuild. The promising performances from Reese, Pierce, and others during the spring game suggest that despite significant turnover, Ohio State’s linebacker corps could emerge as a strength of Patricia’s first defense in Columbus.

For a unit replacing a leader like Cody Simon, the collective development of the linebacker room under Matt Patricia’s guidance represents one of the spring’s most encouraging defensive developments. As Laurinaitis noted regarding Pierce’s potential, “I expect Payton to have a lot of playing time.” That assessment could ultimately apply to several linebackers as Patricia builds a rotation designed to maximize the varied strengths of a talented but inexperienced group.