Ohio State Safety Josh Proctor spoke with the media ahead of the Buckeyes matchup with Wisconsin.
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00:00 >> That attitude that like knowing this game, like games are on my shoulders.
00:05 It's that song that you guys feel like you've embraced more this year than maybe
00:09 you would have last year through front line.
00:11 >> I think so definitely.
00:13 We got a better group, we got an older group, and
00:16 we've been through a lot in the same way.
00:18 So when it comes to games like this, situations in this, in that matter,
00:22 we're always down for the challenge.
00:24 >> Josh, can you scoot up so I can mic Cormick up?
00:26 >> Josh, we were just talking about KJ, he had a sack when I came,
00:30 a little bit of a breakout for him.
00:32 What was like the best moment to see from him?
00:35 >> Shoot, I'm happy, I always like seeing the guys do their part.
00:38 Him, Jermaine, anybody who gets in there and makes a play,
00:42 I'm always excited for them.
00:43 Cuz I know what it takes to get out there.
00:45 >> Yeah, you've been around, obviously, for a while.
00:47 See Jermaine perform like he did, from a defensive back perspective,
00:52 how impressive was that?
00:53 >> That was very impressive.
00:56 Felt like he was built for that moment, honestly, it wasn't too big for him.
01:00 He went out there and he played like a vet that's been out there before.
01:03 >> I think Jim Noll said he didn't even know how big the moment was.
01:07 He was almost like blissfully- >> It was just him, yeah, literally.
01:10 >> Do you kinda get that impression from being around him, just as a guy?
01:14 >> I do, I do, he doesn't, I wouldn't say he's not a serious person, but
01:18 he doesn't take everything too serious.
01:21 He likes to live in the moment, he knows who he is, he's confident in himself.
01:25 And so are we, so.
01:27 >> What was your first impression of Jermaine?
01:29 >> He got it.
01:31 Bob play, Bob play, just a dog, he's competitive.
01:35 Competitive in everything he does, so that's the first thing I've seen.
01:39 >> Jim Noll's had no problem leaving him on island at times.
01:44 For a guy to come in, I mean, even that play when he's kinda made up silent,
01:47 got up, he'll turn around, play the ball.
01:49 Is that rare for a kid that age to come in and make those type of plays?
01:53 >> It's definitely rare cuz you don't see a lot of kids with that technique coming
01:57 in out of high school that early.
01:59 But that's stuff we see in practice, and he does it on the daily.
02:03 And that was the reason we trusted him to get out there and
02:05 make that play in the game.
02:07 >> Brian talks a lot about hiring a top player, and
02:09 you guys are no good on that when you're playing about.
02:12 >> I'm sorry, man.
02:13 >> How much of that really helps in practice, though, so
02:15 that when you get in the game, it doesn't feel like it's top ten game.
02:18 >> It helps a lot, but we guard the best receivers in the nation every day.
02:23 I don't care if there's one, two, or three.
02:26 We have the best receivers in the nation, so we're confident in what we see and
02:31 what we practice against to go out there and perform when it's time to go.
02:36 >> Josh, coach talked about this being a safety-driven defense.
02:40 How do you guys, what do you think about that?
02:43 How does that challenge you?
02:44 Do you think you wanna be leaders?
02:46 >> We embrace it, we embrace it.
02:49 Takes a smart group to get back there and run the defense like we do, but
02:55 I mean, we embrace it, we study constantly.
02:58 We're always in here watching film, trying to get better.
03:00 So I mean, I think it's something that we start to look forward to this year
03:04 as we take this role, so.
03:06 >> Did it seem fuzzy last year, but now you get it more?
03:11 >> I'd say this year, we just get it more.
03:14 We've been in the scheme two years.
03:17 We understand the ins and outs.
03:19 We understand what Coach knows, wants to see, and
03:21 what we wanna get out of it on defense on that play.
03:23 >> Do you sense the rest of the defense depending on you guys a lot?
03:28 >> We depend on each other.
03:30 Every group, from the D line to the linebackers, from the linebackers to
03:33 the back end, we all depend on each other to do our jobs.
03:35 >> You're back there in that free safety spot,
03:40 you're seeing the whole field.
03:41 I guess, have you felt this pass rush pick up as the season has gone?
03:44 It felt like they had their biggest game against Penn State of the year.
03:47 >> I have, I have.
03:48 And like I said, that just comes with getting more games under your belt.
03:52 They rotate a lot of guys.
03:54 They got some young guys up there that have been playing, and
03:57 you're starting to see it.
03:58 They're getting comfortable, they know what they're looking at,
03:59 they know what they're seeing.
04:00 So it's all coming together.
04:02 >> Josh, if a sixth year Josh Proctor could go back and
04:04 tell a first year Josh Proctor some nugget, you know what I mean, to get him by,
04:09 what would it be?
04:10 And I gotta follow that.
04:12 >> Live in the moment and just listen.
04:17 Just listen to the ones who's trying to help you.
04:21 >> Yeah. >> Maybe trying to look out for you.
04:23 Not everything is bad or someone out to get you.
04:26 So that's all I would say, just listen.
04:28 >> No game is ever perfect, but how close was Saturday to your excellent game?
04:34 I mean, you know what I mean, for you personally and stuff?
04:36 Cuz it just appears to me you're not playing impulsive, but you're firing.
04:41 You understand what I'm saying?
04:42 I mean, how close were you to that excellent game on Saturday?
04:47 And how close can you get?
04:48 >> I played excellent, honestly.
04:50 >> Really? >> I messed up some things, and
04:52 that's just stuff that me and my coach had seen right off the bat.
04:56 >> Yeah. >> But there's always room to improve,
04:59 I feel like.
05:00 And I just wanna live in the moment.
05:02 I don't wanna think too far ahead, too far behind.
05:04 >> But you made an impact.
05:05 I mean, you felt that way, didn't you, in that game?
05:08 I mean, just, and what's the challenge on Saturday night for this defense?
05:13 >> Going in there and playing physical, stopping their run.
05:18 They had a big old line, they got a big back.
05:20 I think he's number one in broken tackles.
05:23 So you gotta make sure we're there to make the play and
05:26 just play physical with them.
05:27 It's gonna be a full court game.
05:29 >> Josh, I know a lot of us have seen Jump around on TV,
05:32 haven't seen him in person.
05:33 Are you kinda looking forward to that whole thing?
05:36 >> I am, I like playing away games.
05:39 I feel like the big one, walking in that house.
05:42 So I'm definitely excited.
05:44 I've never been up there to Madison, so I think it'll be a good experience.
05:48 >> All right, Josh. >> Thanks, guys.