How Qua Russaw fits perfectly in Matt Patricia's vision for Ohio State's defense

Patricia may deploy streamlined roles and packages this fall, which could allow Russaw — a transfer from Alabama — to thrive.

Ohio State’s Qua Russaw speaks to the media after the Buckeyes’ seventh practice of preseason camp. (Bill Landis, BAD)

COLUMBUS — Qua Russaw left his visit to Ohio State back in January unsure if it was the place for him. Recounting his feelings on Thursday, Russaw made it sound like coaches on his subsequent visits to Tennessee and Notre Dame had a real chance of landing him. He was open to anything.

But something surprising happened. Those visits actually clarified for Russaw that Ohio State was the right fit after all. After concluding his visits and taking everything he heard into account, he believed in the Buckeyes’ plan the most. More specifically, he believed in the vision defensive coordinator Matt Patricia had for him.

“It was definitely Coach Patricia, him coming from the NFL and having a multiple defense, having a lot of guys on the field who can earn a job,” Russaw said Thursday after OSU’s seventh practice of preseason camp.