Former Ohio State linebacker and running back Steele Chambers believes that sophomore TJ Alford and Riley Pettijohn were the "shining stars" of the linebacker room against Texas and pulled from his own experience on the depth chart as to why they should play more.
On "The Shaw and Steele Show" Sept. 15, Chambers discussed his scenario as a third-year player on the Buckeyes when he was the backup to linebacker and captain Teradja Mitchell. Chambers said Mitchell was going through some "personal" issues and not playing as well.
"I was that second [linebacker]," Chambers said. "I was getting 20, 25 snaps a game, but I was making plays. And then I got five more plays, 10 more plays, and as the weeks went on and I ended up starting."
Chambers explained
that he played fewer snaps when linebacker Cody Simon started making more plays.
"There were times where I just wasn't playing good ball and coach Laurinaitis or whoever was linebacker coach, he said, 'Screw it, put [Cody Simon] in.' "
Chambers compared the scenario to what he thinks can be a proper handling of the Buckeyes linebackers.
"Anyone who is saying Payton Pierce and Christian Alliegro should just never see the field again, shouldn't have a quality snap of football for Ohio State, have no idea what they're talking about. ... All of that being said, Pettijohn and Alford need more reps. ... I try not to make assumptions this fast, but if you got guys that are truly making splash plays and running around making a difference whenever they only have 20 or so snaps, they need to be on the field more."
According to Pro Football Focus, Pierce and Alliegro played on 67 and 51 snaps, respectively. Pettijohn and Alford, meanwhile, played 37 and 26 snaps, respectively.
Pettijohn registered three tackles, including a sack for a loss of 10 yards in the first quarter, which led to a Longhorns punt. Alford mainly lined up in the box and had two tackles against the Longhorns.
Ohio State coach Ryan Day said Sept. 15 that younger players on the Ohio State roster on both sides of the ball will begin to play more, mentioning Pettijohn by name.
"Riley will continue to play more," Day said. "He's put himself in a situation where he's a unique player that just has the uncanny ability to slip blocks and make plays. And the more he plays, the better he's going to be."
Switching from running back to linebacker in his junior year, Chambers started the last four games of the 2021 season at linebacker. He started 25 games over the next two seasons; he recorded 6.5 tackles for loss and an interception in his first year as a starter.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ex-LB Steele Chambers says 2 Ohio State linebackers need bigger roles
