Ohio State notebook: Where Caleb Downs will be missed the most

Plus, thinking about punt returns and short yardage options.

Ohio State safeties Jaylen McClain and Caleb Downs during last year’s game against Michigan. (Courtesy of OSU athletics)

COLUMBUS — Matt Patricia’s voice was booming off the walls of the Woody Hayes Athletic Center last week. Ohio State’s defensive coordinator wasn’t angry. He was teaching.

Following the Buckeyes’ 10th practice of the spring last Wednesday, Patricia was standing on the indoor field barking out calls and gesturing to imaginary teammates around him like he was playing safety in his own defense. Two pupils, one on his way to the NFL and one who will fill the shoes of said soon-to-be first-round pick, sat on a bench a few feet away, stared intently, and cataloged every word, every action.

Patricia yelled out a call. Caleb Downs relayed something about it to Jaylen McClain. McClain nodded. The process went on for a few minutes.

Communication is key in Patricia’s defense. Communication, an understanding of every facet of the defense, how all the pieces worked together, how offenses would attack it, that was Downs’ superpower. Someone needs to pick up that slack this year. That scene that played out after practice last week was McClain going to school.

“We have to communicate at a high level,” safeties coach Matt Guerrieri said. “We have to fill the shoes of guys who communicated at a high level. That’s a huge emphasis for us. When I look at what we need to get better at to be the best safety room in the country, it starts with communication.”