Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles left the Buckeyes program in a surprising turn of events, accepting the same job with the Penn State Nittany Lions

Should Ohio State lure Hampton away from Eugene, it would be the second year in a row that the Buckeyes took a coach from Oregon. Last year, after running backs coach Tony Olford left Columbus to coach RBs for the Michigan Wolverines, the Buckeyes hired Ducks running backs coach Carlos Locklyn.

With Jim Knowles leaving Ohio State for Penn State, Oregon co-DC Chris Hampton is a candidate to replace him in Columbus.