Ohio State Buckeyes: Young linebacker looking to pass vets on depth chart

This group of potential starters has far less game experience than the foursome of Tuf Borland, Baron Browning, Pete Werner and Justin Hilliard — and Cody Simon might crash the party.

A sophomore from New Jersey, Simon has been seen operating with the No. 1 unit during open viewing windows of preseason practice.

That he would be starter material is no surprise — he was a four-star prospect and the No. 4 inside linebacker in the country in the class of 2020 according to 247Sports Composite rankings — but that it is happening now might qualify as such.

That’s because seniors Dallas Gant, K’Vaughn Pope and Teradja Mitchell were viewed as the heirs apparent after last season, and Simon lost some valuable development time last year because of the COVID-19 pandemic cutting down on games and practice time.

“I learned a lot from all four of (last year’s veterans),” Simon said. “We are just trying to emulate them, really just trying to grind. We saw how they did it, and now we’re trying to do it the same way.”

Linebackers coach Al Washington praised his maturity, focus and ability to process what is happening in front of him.

“Obviously very gifted physically, but he’s just mature kid for his age,” Washington said. “I mean he took last year and didn’t play much but really learned from the guys that were playing and took advantage of that time. So, real excited about Cody, and he’s a phenomenal leader as well. Players really respond to him.”

Washington insisted everyone is still in the mix at this point, and he has not started seriously forming his depth chart yet with three weeks to go before the opener at Minnesota.

“Right now our single focus is press play, watch tape and improve,” Washington said. “Every day, these guys have got to roll. We’ve got to get better. We have to be efficient with our time, so I haven’t really focused on it right now. As we get closer to the game, we’ll handle (the depth chart).”

Beyond the senior trio and Simon, third-year sophomore Tommy Eichenberg has also had a strong offseason while freshmen Reid Carrico has made a strong first impression.

“I think all of them, starting with Teradja, has done a great job of stepping into a leadership role off the field and taking it upon himself to organize things. K’Vaughn Pope has really had a strong push this camp. He’s really bought in and has kind of matured. I’m really proud of him. Tommy Eichenberg is a tough kid, accountable kid — just a person that has shown up. Dallas Gant is another one who has been here and done a really good job just having a great presence for us. I don’t want to forget anybody, but there’s been a number of those guys stepping up.”

Credit: Marcus Hartman

Credit: Marcus Hartman

Washington’s room also recently gained a pair of players with strong recruiting pedigrees Steele Chambers moved over from running back and Palaie Gaoteote transferred in from USC.

“That’s a great person and a really hard-working kid,” he said of Gaoteote, who is still awaiting word from the NCAA if he will be eligible to play this fall. “The group has really embraced him, and hopefully it works out but I just love the fact he’s around. He gives off great energy and he’s definitely a good fit.”

Washington joked he has been recruiting Chambers, who was known as a standout defender as well as running back as a four-star prospect in Georgia, for a long time. Now he gets to coach him after the third-year sophomore agreed to change positions based on a logjam at running back and relative lack of depth at linebacker.

“Just a great kid who works his tail off and is learning,” Washington said. “He’s a bright kid. He’s learning the playbook and doing his thing.”