Ohio State football: Roby shows he?s fast learner at cornerback
By Tim May
The Columbus Dispatch Friday October 21, 2011
After Ohio State?s second-half collapse at Nebraska almost two weeks ago, the coaches decided it was best to move on quickly, opting not to review much of the video with the players. Cornerback Bradley Roby understood the reasoning, but he slipped in and watched the whole thing again anyway.
?As a unit we didn?t watch the film, because we know what we did wrong, so we just wanted to move past it,? Roby said. ?But me, individually, I went back and watched the whole game, because I like to watch all of the games and the practices.
?I watch every little thing, because I want to be perfect. So every little thing I mess up on, I look at and take notes on, and I try to fix it the next practice or the next game.?
Thus continues the education of Roby, a first-year starting cornerback.
He?s catching on fast. A year ago he was redshirting, a member of the 2010 recruiting class who originally had committed to Vanderbilt as a receiver before co-defensive coordinator Paul Haynes convinced him he had the makings of a cornerback.
Now he leads the Buckeyes (4-3, 1-2) in interceptions with three as they take a respite on Saturday before diving into the stretch run of the Big Ten schedule next week against No. 4 Wisconsin.
His interception and 36-yard return at the start of the second half last week set up Ohio State?s first touchdown in a 17-7 upset win over previously undefeated Illinois. It was the kind of pivotal play that can accelerate the learning curve, junior cornerback Travis Howard said.
?Any time you have confidence, it loosens you up as a player,? said Howard, who also had an interception at Illinois. ?It allows you to go out there and feel like nothing bad will happen. You can just go out there and be yourself, play your game. You?re not overthinking.
?On top of that, with confidence the game slows down for you a little bit. It allows you to go out there and make plays, take chances. And as you can see with Roby, his confidence is building up.?
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