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Buckskin86
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Former Ohio State coach John Cooper helped develop Buckeyes as ?Cornerback U?
By Chick Ludwig | Wednesday, February 4, 2009
OSU?S LEGACY OF CORNERBACKS
LURES BARNETT TO COLUMBUS
Northmont High School senior C.J. Barnett didn?t envision wearing Scarlet and Gray when the recruiting process began.
?I wanted to go down South, where it was warmer,? he said.
But a closer inspection of Ohio State history ? especially its ability to crank out NFL cornerbacks ? and a promise from a friend changed his mind.
Barnett, one of the nation?s top cornerback prospects, signed his national letter of intent with Ohio State on Wednesday, Feb. 4, joining a dozen other Greater Western Ohio Conference stars in a ceremony on National Signing Day at the Huber Heights Athletic Foundation Center.
?When I first started playing corner my sophomore year, I didn?t know how,? said Barnett, a 6-foot-1, 187-pound first-team All-Ohio Division I performer in 2008. ?I got a DVD that taught me how to play.?
The instructor: Former Ohio State head coach John Cooper.
?He spoke about all their DBs who had a chance to go to the next level,? Barnett said. ?I figured if I can do what I need to and be a starter, then I have a good chance. After looking at Ohio State and seeing what they have to offer, that?s the best choice for me.?
Kurt Coleman, the Buckeyes? starting strong safety from Northmont, decided to return to Ohio State in 2009 and not make himself eligible for the NFL draft in April. He urged Barnett to join him in Columbus.
?Kurt told me, ?If you come, I?ll stay and show you the ropes,? ? Barnett said. ?I said, ?All right. I?ll hold you to that.? He held true to his word.?
DaytonDailyNews: Dayton, Ohio, news and information
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I sure like the sounds of that "Cornerback U" The fact of the matter is tOSU does a pretty good job of turning out Safeties as well. Barnett has all the skills to jump right in line with all the others who came before him. He may not get into the two deep this year, but I think we may well see him blowing up returners on special teams this year. His combination of size, speed and cover skills also make him a prime candidate to help out in the nickel package against a more pass happy versus run first team where we used Moeller and Hines.
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Buckskin86
Moderator
Football Profile: C.J. Barnett: Northmont produces another member of OSU's secondary
Mark Stetson
Issue date: 2/16/09
C.J. Barnett didn't have a press conference on signing day.
In fact, he made his choice nearly a year before the bright lights and heavy coverage, verbally committing to Ohio State in February 2008. Barnett knew early on that he wanted to be a Buckeye.
"I chose Ohio State because it was a great overall place to be, I like the environment," he said. "I wanted to get the decision out of the way so I could focus on having fun my senior year in high school."
Barnett, a cornerback from Northmont high school in Clayton, Ohio, joined 24 other football prospects in signing with the Buckeyes. Despite being ranked the No. 13 defensive back in the nation and the No. 5 best player in Ohio by Rivals.com, Barnett flew under the radar during the recruiting process.
DARLENE PARENTE/WWW.LOVEITPHOTOS.COM
"He has a lot of ability," said Kevin Noon, Managoing editor of ohiostate.rivals.com. "He seems to almost be a forgotten man; I think that's a mistake."
At six feet one inch, Barnett fits the traditional mold of a safety rather than a cornerback. Though he doesn't expect to change positions, C.J. will do whatever the coaching staff asks of him.
"It doesn't matter to me," he said. "I'm up for anything."
Football Profile: C.J. Barnett: Northmont produces another member of OSU's secondary - Sports
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generaladm
Legend
Profile of CJ, part of ourhonordefend.com 's "Better Know a Buckeye" series.
http://www.ourhonordefend.com/2009/02/better-know-a-buckeye-cj-barnett.php
http://www.ourhonordefend.com/2009/02/better-know-a-buckeye-cj-barnett.php
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craigblitz
Juice, Full of Juice!!
Thought I saw him on the field today. Can anybody confirm this? Looked like he was playing a Safety position.
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TheStoicPaisano
But I didn't, so it doesn't
Yeah he definitely got some time. He (and the rest of the #2 D) will learn from it.
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Buckskin86
Moderator
Being listed as a starter....
http://www.nmnathletics.com/fls/173...rt.pdf?SPSID=87743&SPID=10408&DB_OEM_ID=17300
http://www.nmnathletics.com/fls/173...rt.pdf?SPSID=87743&SPID=10408&DB_OEM_ID=17300
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buckeyes_rock
Great day to be a Buckeye
Buckskin86;1753505; said:
Wow, everything I'd read seemed to point to OJ having this spot. Did Barnett just perform lights out and take it from him?
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k2onprimetime
All in
buckeyes_rock;1753516; said:
I think week 1 vs Marshall were gonna see alot of different People playing and getting looks. Were gonna see alot of rotation and after that game we should know more about the Safety position, and the other linebacker spot.
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buckeyes_rock
Great day to be a Buckeye
billmac91;1753543; said:
That stinks for OJ, but congrats to CJ! I haven't heard a lot about him, so I'm anxious to see how he handles things back there on Sept 2!
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Outstanding
Storm Trooper
Practice reports from one observer said he was getting kinda run over at times, but would bring down the tackler. They also mentioned he wasn't particularly physical.buckeyes_rock;1753545; said:
Take it for what it's worth, if the staff likes him that's good enough for me. If OJ is not back for Miami, CJ will be going up against some good/big receivers so hopefully the live game reps from Marshall will be beneficial.
Premium
http://bucknuts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=69211&page=2&highlight=CJ+Barnett
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