Ohio State’s defense hasn’t just been good this year - it’s been dominant. The Buckeyes are sitting atop college football in both total defense and scoring defense heading into their College Football Playoff quarterfinal matchup against No.
10 Miami in the Cotton Bowl. And while the roster is stacked with elite talent, a huge part of that success can be traced back to one man: defensive coordinator Matt Patricia.
Yes, that Matt Patricia - the former NFL head coach and longtime defensive mind - has brought his trademark complexity and attention to detail to Columbus. But don’t expect him to take a victory lap. When Patricia met with the media following practice on Monday, he deflected the praise like a seasoned vet, redirecting it all to his players.
“The players have done an unbelievable job,” Patricia said. “They play so hard and aggressive, and fly around on the field. It’s just a joy to watch them work all week and then go out and perform for three hours on Saturdays.”
Patricia’s return to college football has clearly re-energized him. He spoke about the “youthful energy” of his players and how their camaraderie and brotherhood have made this season especially rewarding. For someone who’s spent most of his career in the NFL, the college game seems to have reignited a spark.
He’s also brought a lifetime’s worth of football knowledge with him - literally. Patricia referenced what he calls “the bible,” a collection of defensive concepts and philosophies he’s built over the years. But rather than force-feed it to his players, he’s taken a collaborative, adaptive approach.
“I didn’t come in with a set plan like, ‘By this point, I want this much of it installed,’” Patricia explained. “It’s been more about teaching, seeing how it grows, and letting the players take ownership of it.”
And that’s exactly what they’ve done. Patricia praised his players for embracing the complexity of the system, learning the moving parts, and executing it at a high level. The more they’ve learned, the more flexible and dangerous the defense has become.
That flexibility is especially evident when it comes to Ohio State’s linebacker duo of Arvell Reese and Sonny Styles - two of the most versatile, NFL-ready defenders in the country. Reese is already being projected as a top non-quarterback pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, and Styles isn’t far behind. Patricia knew early on that this tandem was special, and he’s had a blast finding creative ways to use them.
“We started out just trying to see what they could do,” Patricia said. “How much interchangeability could we build into the unit?
And now, sometimes they’re making changes on the field themselves based on what they see. That’s when you know you’ve got something.”
Patricia lights up when talking about third-down packages - the chess match moments where his scheme and his players’ instincts really come alive. He emphasized that the right to rush the passer on third down has to be earned through disciplined early-down play. But when they get to that spot, Reese and Styles become matchup nightmares.
“They’re long, they’re big, they can cover, they can rush,” Patricia said. “They’ve got some savvy and suddenness to them.
And when you’re lining up inside, that quickness can be different from what you get from a 3-tech. It’s been fun to keep that spinning.”
That blend of creativity and trust is a hallmark of Patricia’s approach this season. His players aren’t just executing assignments - they’re helping shape the game plan.
Patricia described how they’ll come back to the sideline, explain what they saw, and work with the staff to adjust on the fly. It’s the kind of coach-player relationship that turns a good defense into a dominant one.
And if you want a glimpse into how much Patricia is enjoying this ride, just watch him on game day. The man is dishing out bear hugs like he’s handing out game balls. One player in particular - All-American defensive tackle Kayden McDonald - gets the full embrace treatment every time.
“Yeah, you’ve got to go in big with K-Mac,” Patricia joked. “He’s a big guy. If you don’t swell up, you’re in trouble.”
But behind the laughs is genuine admiration. Patricia called McDonald “super coachable” and spoke glowingly about watching him grow and succeed. It’s clear that moments like these - seeing a player take something from the film room and apply it on the field - are what fuel Patricia now.
He even shared a light-hearted story about McDonald’s pregame ritual. Apparently, the big man likes to load up on face paint, and after one of their signature hugs, Patricia found himself with a half-dyed beard - one side black, the other gray.
“I looked in the mirror and thought, ‘What’s wrong with my beard?’” Patricia said, laughing.
“It looked like I dyed half of it. It was great.”
That’s the kind of season it’s been for Ohio State’s defense - intense, technical, and wildly successful, but also full of joy. Patricia has built a unit that’s not just statistically elite, but emotionally connected. And heading into the biggest game of the year, that bond could be the Buckeyes’ secret weapon.
They’ve got the talent. They’ve got the scheme.
And with Patricia at the helm, they’ve got a defensive identity that’s as tough as it is tight-knit. Now, they’ll try to carry that into the Cotton Bowl and beyond.