Greg Schiano Announces Starting Linebackers, Tuf Borland Could Return This Week

Defensive coordinator Greg Schiano met with the media following Ryan Day’s appearance on Monday ahead of Ohio State’s opening week.

Schiano said he thinks Day has done an “unbelievable job” filling in for Urban Meyer as the acting head coach. Added he and the entire coaching staff has had to step their game up to fill the void on the coaching staff.

What follows are the biggest takeaways from his time at the podium.

• On the situation at Tennessee: “Now is not the time (to talk about it).”
• “I am looking forward to coaching a game,” Schiano said.
• On the addition of Alex Grinch: “Alex has been a huge part of (recreating our defense).”
• Said Pete Werner, Baron Browning and Malik Harrison will start at linebacker for Ohio State. Added he expects additional players to play. “We have more than three starting quality linebackers.”
• On Werner: “His arrow has certainly pointed up.” Added he changed his body during the offseason.
• Said Tuf Borland could be back as earlier as this week. Will be tough to keep him off the field, because of him wanting to return to action.
• Said Isaiah Pryor and Jahsen Wint will both play at safety for Ohio State against the Beavers. Added he expects one of the two to take over the position as the season goes along, much like Jordan Fuller did last season.
• Said the biggest thing Ohio State misses with Meyer out is his leadership. Added his experience as a head coach was to “coach the coaches.” Thought Meyer did a good job of that.
• “We have gotten, in the last 30 days, a lot closer. And he has a bright future,” Schiano said of Ryan Day.
• Said when Day spoke to the team on the third day of practice, Schiano noticed he was going to be able to handle the head coaching duties. “He has got the ‘It’ factor.”
• Mentioned Keandre Jones as one of the hardest workers on the team. Said he has not been 100 percent all offseason.
• Said the defense will stick to a three-man rotation at cornerback. Kendall Sheffield, Damon Arnette and Jeffrey Okudah will be the three that rotate.
• Nick Bosa, Chase Young and Johnathon Cooper will rotate at defensive end, he said.
• Said cornerbacks coach Taver Johnson has brought ideas into the defensive staff that he has accepted. “It just has to fit into the philosophy of the program you’re joining.”

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