'Really Special': Matt Guerrieri Gives Offseason Updates on Caleb Downs, Ohio State Buckeyes' Safeties Room

The Ohio State Buckeyes' secondary is feeling ready to go for their spring game next week.

Lathan Ransom is one of a multitude of seniors returning to the Buckeyes next season for safeties coach Matt Guerrieri. / Adam Cairns / USA TODAY NETWORK

Transfers ruled the offseason for the Ohio State Buckeyes. 

The talk has circulated around quarterback Will Howard and running back Quinshon Judkins to compete for starting positions, leaving returners flying under the radar.

Another versatile transfer the Buckeyes brought in was Caleb Downs, who safeties coach Matt Guerrieri said has been “really special.”

“You can take talent as a god-given thing but the discipline and skill that you develop over time in your life, [Downs has] been able to do that,” Guerrieri said at coaches availability Wednesday.

Guerrieri added that the Alabama transfer has a high level understanding of in-game concepts and makes it tough on coaches because “he’s going to be a step ahead” if you don’t match his mentality.

Downs helped the Crimson Tide to the College Football Playoff behind the No. 16 secondary in the nation. The Hoschton, Georgia, native recorded 70 tackles, two interceptions and three pass breakups himself.

On top of Downs, Guerrieri was confident in the depth of his room, especially in returning sophomore Malik Hartford, junior Sonny Styles and fifth-year senior Lathan Ransom.

Ransom and Styles, both starters last year, combined for 77 tackles, three PBUs and an interception — the coaches have emphasized that Styles will remain a versatile part of the defense and be able to move him around.

Hartford filled in key roles when both safety Josh Proctor and cornerback Denzel Burke missed time this season.

Guerrieri said he needs to keep learning but wants to crack down on the safeties’ tackling methods and focus on takeaways.

“I pride myself on being a teacher,” Guerrieri said.

Guerrieri also spoke about freshman Jaylen McClain and sophomore Jayden Bonsu, who he said have become much more disciplined and given a lot of effort this offseason. Guerrieri specifically emphasized McClain’s ball-hawking capabilities.

“We’re really tracking effort and how hard a guy is playing from there is what we do. But I would say this too: [McClain has] been around the ball a lot.”

The first opportunity to see the revamped safeties room, as well as the rest of the team, in action will be Ohio State’s spring game on April 13 at noon, streaming on FOX.