2025 AL CB Na'eem Offord (Ohio St. Soft Verbal)

[Onebuckfan]

Is there a ton of CB talent on this team ? I thought so also until this past weekend. If there is a ton why did Day / Walton keep a guy who was so off his game it cost us the game. Does Matthews suck ? Would he have done any worse (If that was actually possible) ?

I’d like to know whose call that would be …I’m assuming Knowles but it could be Walton.

 

[pnuts34]

Is there a ton of CB talent on this team ? I thought so also until this past weekend. If there is a ton why did Day / Walton keep a guy who was so off his game it cost us the game. Does Matthews suck ? Would he have done any worse (If that was actually possible) ?

I’d like to know whose call that would be …I’m assuming Knowles but it could be Walton.

I have the same questions you all do. I’m just at a loss. I too thought(I guess still think) that there was a ton of talent along the CB. But why not rotation, if you’re not cutting it, then why not sit the guy? I remember when a young Gareon Conley started against Mich St when Eli Apple had a sore hamstring. Conley gets cooked, and Coombs(I believe but can’t quite remember) yanks him and put an injured Apple before the game got out of hand.

Sorry I’ll continue this on the Defense thread. Back to Offord

I hope Walton starts rotating more at the very least. And gives Matthews At the very least more reps, and also try Hancock on the outside too. I’m sure Burke can come back from that performance, but he has to earn it. And those are all things you want to show a top recruit, imo. The best play, and every game rep should be earned, not just by seniority

 

[RB07OSU]

That's a crazy take, and I'm not saying that you're wrong. But there has to be something to that, if the coaches chose to keep Burke in. Unless they thought that the moment was too big to sub Matthews or CSH in.

As good as Offord is, it'll be interesting to see if he can start at a place like OSU from Day 1. There's still a ton of talent at CB on this team.

I should have said "a chance to start from Day 1". Poorly worded and I didn't mean to say he would start from Day 1. He has the talent and size to compete for a job, but then again so does Sanchez. And yes, tons of talent in the CB room and part of me thinks outside of Burke we just have schematic issues that need fixed. But as you said the best should be playing and depending on how Offord approaches things leading up to fall camp, I would think he has a real shot to compete for PT at least.

 

[calibuck]

If memory serves correctly, up till this point, tOSU has subbed in the freshmen/sophomores freely, when a LEAD was at stake. However, when the GAME was at stake, the veterans were left in. Thought that was the point of a deep bench. When the WRs run a fly route, they come out for a blow, with fresh legs put in. Probably doesn't happen with the DBs, but from what we've seen, probably should have. Can see why some of the 3's (and 2's I guess), get itchy feet and xfer to another program. But as a coach with a million dollar salary, would you risk it by putting in a green DB etc if a slip/fall, miscue could cost a touchdown? Dunno, but if lose, would want to do with my best on the field. Let tomorrow (next season) take care of itself. Wonder if job security is the issue here?

 

[calibuck]

My poor brain/memory is cloudy, so correct me if I'm wrong. Many schools 'promise' a kid that if they signed up, they'd start. Always thought, here's where I might be astray, that tOSU always promised them that they would be able to COMPETE for a starting position, or two-deep. That is what separated tOSU from the other guys. Not being in the recruiting room, certainly would not know, but enough of that was written that I feel proud of that approach. Hey, after a loss like that, everyone questions everything. Do like the analogy pnut used about a hurt starter better than a whole sub being put in. Savvy or know-how is very important, but if the body can't cash the checks the brain is writing, all goes for naught.