Camp preview: Defensive backs and specialists
Defensive backs
SPOTS LOCKED UP (3): Cornerback Chimdi Chekwa, strong safety Kurt Coleman, free safety Anderson Russell
Chekwa was a revelation two years ago, when as a redshirt freshman he appeared out of nowhere to earn the nickel-corner spot. He stepped into the void left when Donald Washington was suspended for the first two games last season and has never looked back, relegating Washington mostly to backup duty when he returned.
Coleman I thought picked his game up a notch last year, and made strides toward becoming a big-play guy rather than simply steady. He could be one of the nation's top safeties. Russell is certainly not a liability, but he hasn't elevated his game like Coleman.
SPOTS UP FOR GRABS (1-plus):
Cornerback: It's on between fifth-year senior Andre Amos, who basically has missed two years to injuries, and junior Devon Torrence, a former receiver who really looked natural during spring drills.
The plus in my equation is at the nickel spot. It's hard to really pin down who's competing here, because OSU uses different fifth defensive backs based upon the situation.
Jermale Hines basically became a part-time starter last year, carving out a niche as the nickel man against spread teams. He showed a knack for making big plays, running down a lot of the screens and short, horizontal passes upon which the spread depends so heavily. There's no reason to believe his playing time will diminish this year.
Against more traditional offenses, or on obvious passing downs, though, Hines wasn't always the guy. There is opportunity here for a pair of redshirt freshmen _ Travis Howard and Ohrian Johnson _ to see the field. Entering camp, the guess is those two are the leading nickel candidates.
BACKUPS AND OTHERS
I said "the guess" because there are other players who may push for time in five- and six-defensive back sets. Senior safety Aaron Gant seems to be improving. Donnie Evege and Nate Oliver both had their moments in spring ball where they appeared field-ready, as well. Others in the mix include Rocco Pentello, Zach Domicone, Corey Brown, C.J. Barnett and Dominic Clarke.