James Laurinaitis Pleased with Improvement of Ohio State Buckeyes Linebackers

Ohio State Buckeyes linebackers coach James Laurinaitis has been impressed with several of his players through spring practices, including Sonny Styles and C.J. Hicks.

James Laurinaitis has had to fill a tall order over his first offseason as linebackers coach.

The player-turned-coach has overseen the development of several Ohio State Buckeyes, including former safety Sonny Styles. Laurinaitis said Styles is beginning to understand what it takes to be a linebacker, particularly when it comes to footwork.

“I think Sonny has made a really smooth transition to linebacker," Laurinaitis said. "He’s so used to breaking and going from safety, you have to slow him down. He’s so explosive. He’s really gotten his footwork under control, but it’s a never-ending process...It’s been a really smooth transition for Sonny.”

Mar 7, 2024; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes linebackers coach James Laurinaitis watches

Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA

Another player with whom Laurinaitis is pleased is C.J. Hicks. Playing time has been hard to come by for the Buckeyes sophomore, but Laurinaitis says Hicks is hungry to contribute meaningful minutes for his team this year.

“I think C.J. sees the opportunity," Laurinaitis said. "He’s certainly making a case to get on the field this fall...He’s had some really good days, and he’s had some days where you have to push him a little bit. I think C.J. with where he is now compared to where was last fall, he’s a lot better football player.”

It is no secret Laurinaitis loves a good, old-fashioned competition. The first-time coach says there are two things every one of his players should do, regardless of how much experience they have at linebacker.

"I tell the guys all the time, ‘You have to control the things that take no talent,'" Laurinaitis said. "'You have to eliminate all loafs.’ If you loaf on the field, you’re a traitor and you should just go play for the other team. We can’t be coaching effort, and then you can’t have mental errors...That’s football. Everybody is on scholarship. But those two things you can control every single day.”