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Colts 2023 Draft Interviews: Tanner McCalister, Safety, Ohio State

Meet Ohio State safety Tanner McCalister. We talked about his transfer from Oklahoma State, the role of safeties in the modern NFL, and his ability as a special teamer.

Zach Hicks

In this story:

Tanner McCalister is a former three-star recruit that chose to attend Oklahoma State over offers from Arkansas and Indiana. McCalister put together an impressive career with the Cowboys, appearing in 50 games and making 24 starts in his four years at the school.

In those four years, McCalister accumulated 122 tackles, 4.5 tackles for a loss, 13 pass deflections, and one interception. He also was a star special teamer for the program and was a three-time All-Academic honoree. After his 2021 season with the team, McCalister opted to follow Defensive Coordinator Jim Knowles to Ohio State for the final year of his career.

I asked McCalister about the transition of transferring so late in his college career:

There was definitely a bit of a learning curve, especially leaving a place where you are comfortable. At Oklahoma State, I had already built up that trust with the coaching staff and the other players there. I got into that leadership role during my third year and was really comfortable there as well. I was able to graduate from (Oklahoma State) too so I had a lot of fun there.

Jim Knowles left to go to Ohio State and it was a really nerve-wracking decision for me. There was just so much unknown in the air. I could go to Ohio State and be a starter, or I could have gone and not played. All of those thoughts were running through my head but I was comfortable in my ability.

I had to learn the nuances of being at Ohio State, man. Ohio State treats their program like an NFL program. They are doing weigh-ins everyday and the coaches would treat everyday like it was the NFL. I think that helped me become a pro a little bit earlier than some other guys. I really enjoyed the transition and I feel like it made me a better player and person in the long run.

McCalister would start 12 games for the Buckeyes this past season, totaling 24 tackles, four pass deflections, and three interceptions on the year.

Hula Bowl Appearance

McCalister was invited to participate in the Hula Bowl this offseason, which is one of the bigger postseason scouting events of the draft cycle.

I asked him about his experience with the event this year:

That was fun, man. The Hula Bowl was fun. I was competing against guys from different universities, some of them from conferences that I've never seen. All of those guys were some of the best from their conferences, so it was some great competition.

I obviously wanted to put my best foot forward when I was there, and I felt like I did that. I was able to meet with 22 teams while I was there, and I thought that was great for me getting out there early in the process. I was able to meet different scouts from different teams and those relationships carried over to my pro day. I had a really good workout so I was able to chop it up with some of those guys again after seeing them at the Hula Bowl.

Role in the Ohio State Defense

McCalister obviously wasn't walking into anything too foreign as Ohio State, as he followed his defensive coordinator from Oklahoma State to the school.

I did ask him about the overall style of defense, though, and how he fit in with Jim Knowles' scheme.

Coach Knowles is an aggressive guy. He likes to send a lot of pressure and bring blitzes from all over the field. As defensive backs, you know that you are going to be on an island a bit more with him calling the plays.

**I made a comparison to Wink Martindale with the New York Giants**

Yeah, it is a lot like that. Just a lot of pressure, so as DBs, you have to be able to cover in man. I had the benefit early in my career of doing everything in his defense, because I just wanted to get on the field. I'd line up at corner, at nickel, and at deep safety. I think my best fit in the NFL is at the nickel, but I was able to do it all in that scheme and I really had to be good in man coverage to get playing time.

Special Teams Ability

McCalister is obviously going into the NFL as a defensive back, but he has extensive time spent as a special teams player in college. Even when he transferred to Ohio State, he emerged as one of the team's better special teams players.

I asked him about his potential as a core four player at the next level.

I love special teams. I knew early on in college that special teams was my way to get on the field, so I just made it my goal to play on special teams. At Oklahoma State, I did that all four years and played on all of the main units.

When I came to Ohio State, the special teams' coaches just wanted the best guys on the team. Even though they didn't really know me, they wanted me on their units. They even put me back as a blocker on kick return, which was something that I had never really done before.

I always wanted to be on special teams though, because that is what you have to do in the NFL if you aren't a first round pick. Even in the semifinal game against Georgia, I played every snap on defense and still went out there for my roles on special teams. I feel comfortable playing special teams and I think I can contribute that way right away in the NFL.

McCalister is an athletic safety that can wear a ton of different hats in the NFL. He will likely thrive early on as a core special teamer, but he has the upside and the talent to be a contributor on an NFL defense.

The Colts did meet with him at both the Hula Bowl and at his Pro Day, so keep an eye on McCalister on day three of the NFL Draft.

Learn more about Tanner McCalister and so much more by pre-ordering the Indy Draft Guide!

The most comprehensive Colts draft coverage you can find anywhere releases April 10th, 2023.

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Zach Hicks
ZACH HICKS

Zach Hicks is the Lead Analyst for HorseshoeHuddle.com. Zach has been on the NFL beat since 2017. His works have appeared on SBNation.com, the Locked On Podcast Network, BleacherReport.com, MSN.com, & Yardbarker.com. 

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