• Follow us on Twitter @buckeyeplanet and @bp_recruiting, like us on Facebook! Enjoy a post or article, recommend it to others! BP is only as strong as its community, and we only promote by word of mouth, so share away!
  • Consider registering! Fewer and higher quality ads, no emails you don't want, access to all the forums, download game torrents, private messages, polls, Sportsbook, etc. Even if you just want to lurk, there are a lot of good reasons to register!
DB room is down two players, one of whom could well've turned out to be a starter at inside/slot corner. It certainly affects our depth, but helps the new kids who showed up in January and Martinez. Transfer portal options?

There’s a couple grad transfer CB’s that are bypassing the draft (5th-7th round types) that are looking to elevate draft stock in right situation. I don't think it made sense to make room for anybody unless they were a stud, like Darnay Holmes.

Now that we're two down, and lacking experienced depth at CB, I could see a situation where we'd accept a grad transfer.

That said, I think it's unlikely. I think OSU will probably opt to roll with what they have, and Lejond Cavazos may get an early opportunity.

We know Wade has Okudah's spot locked up. I imagine Cam Brown is locked into the spot Arnette vacated. I think Sevyn Banks is now the front-runner at slot CB with Marcus Williamson now having a legit path to PT.

If OSU is struggling in the secondary, I could also see a scenario where on obvious passing scenarios, Wade moves into the slot, and Banks and Brown handle the outside. May seem counter-intuitive, but in many ways, playing the slot can be harder than the outside. Especially with the way Wade was able to handle TE's and provided solid leverage in the run game.

Could also see more traditional 2 high looks with between Marcus Hooker, Josh Proctor, and Tyreke Johnson getting some run.

I think it changes our depth and potentially looks we present, because Riep was essentially Wade's back-up last year and was being groomed for slot CB.

If we do opt for a grad-transfer at this point, I actually think the most likely position would be RB, where I still think depth is a bit concerning.
 
Upvote 0
There’s a couple grad transfer CB’s that are bypassing the draft (5th-7th round types) that are looking to elevate draft stock in right situation. I don't think it made sense to make room for anybody unless they were a stud, like Darnay Holmes.

Now that we're two down, and lacking experienced depth at CB, I could see a situation where we'd accept a grad transfer.

That said, I think it's unlikely. I think OSU will probably opt to roll with what they have, and Lejond Cavazos may get an early opportunity.

We know Wade has Okudah's spot locked up. I imagine Cam Brown is locked into the spot Arnette vacated. I think Sevyn Banks is now the front-runner at slot CB with Marcus Williamson now having a legit path to PT.

If OSU is struggling in the secondary, I could also see a scenario where on obvious passing scenarios, Wade moves into the slot, and Banks and Brown handle the outside. May seem counter-intuitive, but in many ways, playing the slot can be harder than the outside. Especially with the way Wade was able to handle TE's and provided solid leverage in the run game.

Could also see more traditional 2 high looks with between Marcus Hooker, Josh Proctor, and Tyreke Johnson getting some run.

I think it changes our depth and potentially looks we present, because Riep was essentially Wade's back-up last year and was being groomed for slot CB.

If we do opt for a grad-transfer at this point, I actually think the most likely position would be RB, where I still think depth is a bit concerning.

In term of roster, they were +1 before this iirc so now it would appear they have one open spot.
 
Upvote 0
In term of roster, they were +1 before this iirc so now it would appear they have one open spot.

Agreed on the open spot.

IMO, it has to be an instant impact Grad Transfer, otherwise you're better off developing a young player and getting them the reps.

I'm not sure of a 1 year stop gap at nickel corner is worth the development of Sevyn Banks.

That said, I think a grad transfer RB would immediately add value due to the injury to Crowley and limited experience of Steele Chambers. There are some interesting lower level guys looking to land at a big program that would be a great fit. Unfortunately, the guy I'd like most (Chawntez Moss), has some character concerns, and now isn't the time for OSU to take that risk.
 
Upvote 0
There’s a couple grad transfer CB’s that are bypassing the draft (5th-7th round types) that are looking to elevate draft stock in right situation. I don't think it made sense to make room for anybody unless they were a stud, like Darnay Holmes.

Now that we're two down, and lacking experienced depth at CB, I could see a situation where we'd accept a grad transfer.

That said, I think it's unlikely. I think OSU will probably opt to roll with what they have, and Lejond Cavazos may get an early opportunity.

We know Wade has Okudah's spot locked up. I imagine Cam Brown is locked into the spot Arnette vacated. I think Sevyn Banks is now the front-runner at slot CB with Marcus Williamson now having a legit path to PT.
Which means every contributor is either starting or the first one off the bench. Riep is gone, there was no corner in the 2019 class and the 2020 class is just arriving.

Williamson is the only depth right now until Tyreke changes his stars (which he'll certainly have a chance to do, with 5 DBs gone from the 2019 rotation).

I think it's unlikely they'll find a worthy candidate this late in the process, but they'll certainly try.
 
Upvote 0
Which means every contributor is either starting or the first one off the bench. Riep is gone, there was no corner in the 2019 class and the 2020 class is just arriving.

Williamson is the only depth right now until Tyreke changes his stars (which he'll certainly have a chance to do, with 5 DBs gone from the 2019 rotation).

I think it's unlikely they'll find a worthy candidate this late in the process, but they'll certainly try.

There's at least two or three viable players on the 247 portal that would add depth at CB, I just don't see them as immediate starters. I think I'd prefer Sevyn Banks and Marcus Williamson getting the opportunity. I also think selling a grad transfer on an opportunity to compete or back-up a high profile recruit is a tough pitch when there are ready made starting positons across the country. Just my opinion...
 
Upvote 0
Which means every contributor is either starting or the first one off the bench. Riep is gone, there was no corner in the 2019 class and the 2020 class is just arriving.

Williamson is the only depth right now until Tyreke changes his stars (which he'll certainly have a chance to do, with 5 DBs gone from the 2019 rotation).

I think it's unlikely they'll find a worthy candidate this late in the process, but they'll certainly try.
That POS Grinch really did a number on us. Statistically the worst defense ever and he did absolutely nothing on the recruiting trail.
 
Upvote 0
With Reip and Wint no longer on the team we are going to need Martinez on Defense.
Down to 85 scholarships now.
idk of the last true freshman DB playing since Malcolm Jenkins, there’s still a lot of options in the secondary room in terms of returning players to where we’ll probably be looking at 4 guys with impeccable turd status if a guy who’s not even enrolled right now is needed in Martinez
 
Upvote 0
idk of the last true freshman DB playing since Malcolm Jenkins, there’s still a lot of options in the secondary room in terms of returning players to where we’ll probably be looking at 4 guys with impeccable turd status if a guy who’s not even enrolled right now is needed in Martinez
They’d want him to be in the db room no doubt but that would’ve rung true before yesterday’s reports.
 
Upvote 0
How Will Ohio State Replace… CBs Damon Arnette and Jeff Okudah

Jeff-Okudah-1.jpg


Damon Arnette and Jeff Okudah had very different paths to Ohio State.

Okudah was one of the most sought after players in the 2017 recruiting class and the top-ranked cornerback in the nation. A top 10 player nationally, he committed to Ohio State just days before enrolling.

Arnette, meanwhile, may owe his past five years at Ohio State to Jamel Dean’s ACLs.

The Buckeyes signed Dean, Denzel Ward, and Joshua Norwood to play cornerback in the 2015 class. Dean was an early enrollee and when he was looked over by the Ohio State doctors, they determined that they wouldn’t medically clear him to play football at OSU.

This left Urban Meyer scrambling for another cornerback, and they quickly went back to work on Damon Arnette, who they had offered back in the summer. Arnette — a 3-star prospect and the No. 62 corner in the nation — was committed to South Carolina, but after an official visit to Ohio State the week before signing day he soon decommitted from the Gamecocks and signed with the Buckeyes.

Arnette arrived on campus with an injury and redshirted as a true freshman. As a redshirt freshman, cornerbacks coach Kerry Coombs talked about him possibly finding his way into a four-man rotation at corner with Marshon Lattimore, Denzel Ward, and Gareon Conley. He fell just short, however, and had to wait his turn.

Arnette did spend the last three years in the starting lineup for the Buckeyes, with the last two of those years being spent right alongside Okudah.

The media named Arnette an Honorable Mention All-Big Ten selection in 2017 and 2018. The media wasn’t as impressed with Okudah in his first season starting in 2018, leaving him off their list entirely. The coaches saw enough to name him Honorable Mention, however.

This past season, both sides named Okudah first team and Arnette second team.

And now they must be replaced.

The Candidates

The good news here is that Third-Team All-Big Ten selection Shaun Wade returns for his fourth season. Wade manned the slot corner position last season and did it well enough that he had an NFL decision to mull over. He ultimately decided to return and will do so as an outside cornerback, replacing one of the two departed Buckeyes being talked about here today.

Cameron Brown is a junior who played more snaps than any other cornerback not named Okudah, Arnette, or Wade. Those snaps weren’t just in the fourth quarter of blowouts. He saw legitimate minutes while games were still in doubt. The same can be said for classmate Sevyn Banks, who broke up three passes last season, which was the most of any defensive back reserve.

Marcus Williamson is now a senior who has spent time dealing with injuries, though he may be a better candidate at Wade’s vacated slot corner position. Redshirt sophomore Tyreke Johnson came to Ohio State with 5-star expectations as the nation’s No. 2 safety. His first two years, however, have been a learning experience. He will now be learning from his third position coach in three years.

The Buckeyes also signed a pair of cornerbacks in the 2020 class. Lejond Cavazos and Ryan Watts have both enrolled and both obviously have promise. Fellow 2020 signee Cameron Martinez could also get a look outside upon his arrival.

Entire article: https://theozone.net/2020/02/ohio-state-replace-damon-arnette-jeff-okudah/
 
Upvote 0
Back
Top