FOOTBALL: JEFF OKUDAH LEADS OHIO STATE SECONDARY INTO CONFERENCE PLAY
Before departing from Ohio State as a projected first-round NFL Draft pick, Jeff Okudah said during fall camp there was something he couldn’t leave without.
An interception.
When the junior cornerback finally picked off his first career pass against Miami (Ohio) Saturday, the Texas native didn’t think about being the top corner at No. 6 Ohio State, his breakout two-pass-breakup Rose Bowl performance or being a five-star recruit.
He thought about his late mother, Marie.
“I looked up, thanked God, and then I think I saw my mom just looking down, really proud of that moment,” Okudah said.
Ohio State’s pass defense ranks No. 19 in passing yards allowed nationally and climbing after giving up just 60 yards against Miami. Okudah, with his 14 tackles and tied-for-team-best three passes defended, is leading the charge.
With the elusive interception out of the way, he can shift his focus to leading the defense forward.
“He’s done a good job of taking on the technique that [co-defensive coordinator] Jeff [Hafley] is teaching him and embracing that,” head coach Ryan Day said. “I think the big thing for Jeff [Okudah] is, where are we going to go as we get into the middle of the season?”
This offseason, Okudah said he worked on the mental aspects of his game with Hafley, after working harder on his technique and physical ability as a freshman and sophomore.
Hafley fielded a question Aug. 20 about what makes Okudah special. The first thing he noted was Okudah’s drive, showing he has the ability to hone the mental aspects of his game.
“His work ethic,” Hafley said. “You know he’s an exceptional athlete. He’s got size, speed. He’s got great feet. He loves football, and he practices hard every single day.”
Having coached defensive backs in the NFL for the San Francisco 49ers, Hafley has seen what it takes to play at a professional level.
He said what gives Okudah the edge is the corner’s mentality.
“What separates him from other people is his mindset, and that’s what the great ones have,” Hafley said. “That’s what he does; he works.”
Entyire article:
https://www.thelantern.com/2019/09/...ds-ohio-state-secondary-into-conference-play/