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CB Jermaine Mathews, Jr. (Official Thread)

RB, hope your scenario comes to pass rather than mine. Yeah, Denzel Burke did in fact get a bunch of playing time as a true freshman, so there's that. Don't know that Walton's (?) position is secure enough that he can take a risk. Hard to believe that a recent HSer has gone up against quality WRs such as are on tOSU's roster, which gives the current DBs a huge edge. Wasn't speaking of Special teams, that's another kettle of fish, only as a DB. Read Lindy's and there's 20+ DBs on the roster (which includes walk-ons and safeties). Would love to see it, certainly, never think otherwise, but have several (many) decades of history of watching my/our Buckeyes. Go Bucks!
 
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RB, hope your scenario comes to pass rather than mine. Yeah, Denzel Burke did in fact get a bunch of playing time as a true freshman, so there's that. Don't know that Walton's (?) position is secure enough that he can take a risk. Hard to believe that a recent HSer has gone up against quality WRs such as are on tOSU's roster, which gives the current DBs a huge edge. Wasn't speaking of Special teams, that's another kettle of fish, only as a DB. Read Lindy's and there's 20+ DBs on the roster (which includes walk-ons and safeties). Would love to see it, certainly, never think otherwise, but have several (many) decades of history of watching my/our Buckeyes. Go Bucks!
My ideal scenario and I think most fans' would be that Burke, Hancock, Davison and/or J Brown play so well that Mathews isn't forced into action. But like I said, a lot of question marks there and Walton may need someone like Mathews to step in if one of those guys isn't getting it done (or Simpson-Hunt, very high on him as well but I just see Mathews a touch more game-ready right now). I think the safety spot would be tough to crack as a frosh for sure though with Ransom, Proctor, Martinez, Styles, Stokes, etc. back there.

But as to Mathews, I'm not predicting he plays a significant role in the defense right this season, just saying I wouldn't be shocked at all if he ends up in that position at some point in the season. The CB position was a point of weakness last year and while there is reason to hope for improvement (Burke looked amazing his frosh year, Hancock was highly rated and has had some moments, J Brown flashed at times, Davison looked good as a frosh against great competition), it is a position I am concerned on with good WR corps and if Mathews is as good as many think he is, then he might make a run at a consistent role this year.
 
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At least we have the bodies and options this year. Play well or sit and next man up!
With Burke, Hancock, Davison, J Brown, Turner, Mathews and CSH, we better field a damn good CB unit. Said this in another thread but if CB play is an issue again this year, Walton is probably looking for a new job. But if Mathews and/or CSH are half as good as they looked in HS, then the guys on the roster are going to have to perform or Mathews/CSH will likely be the next man up. That said, Mathews is likely going to at least get a role on special teams even if he doesn't get on the field much at CB this year.
 
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I think Burke played much better late in the year. Teams went after him early in the season but I thought teams transitioned to go after Brown around the week of Sparty. Then late in the year it was Brown and pretty much all our safeties lol.

I'm high on Burke after his late season performance. However, yeah I hope none of the young guys play otherwise someone at the top isn't up to snuff
 
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I think Burke played much better late in the year. Teams went after him early in the season but I thought teams transitioned to go after Brown around the week of Sparty. Then late in the year it was Brown and pretty much all our safeties lol.

I'm high on Burke after his late season performance. However, yeah I hope none of the young guys play otherwise someone at the top isn't up to snuff
That is a fair assessment, I thought he played better in the second half of the season and is a big reason why I am optimistic on Burke. But the rest of the CBs need to make big steps forward to hold off players like Mathews and CSH. Hopefully they do because like you said, you don't want guys with experience all getting passed up by true frosh. But I will tell you this much, Mathews is a man on a mission and is coming into Columbus ready to take a starting gig and he has the talent and drive to back that up.
 
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That is a fair assessment, I thought he played better in the second half of the season and is a big reason why I am optimistic on Burke. But the rest of the CBs need to make big steps forward to hold off players like Mathews and CSH. Hopefully they do because like you said, you don't want guys with experience all getting passed up by true frosh. But I will tell you this much, Mathews is a man on a mission and is coming into Columbus ready to take a starting gig and he has the talent and drive to back that up.
To me my concerns for the secondary are Ransom and Martinez. Particularly Ransom.

For another thread but there were really 2 players picked on late. It was Brown who's now gone and Ransom.

I really like our top 2 corners this year whether thats Davison or Jordan. Enormous upgrade over Brown who was really a liability.
 
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To me my concerns for the secondary are Ransom and Martinez. Particularly Ransom.

For another thread but there were really 2 players picked on late. It was Brown who's now gone and Ransom.

I really like our top 2 corners this year whether thats Davison or Jordan. Enormous upgrade over Brown who was really a liability.
Brown was a huge liability for sure. Ransom to me played excellent until the last two games. Gotta play elite in elite games, but the talent is there. One of Davison or Hancock should handle the spot across from Burke better than Brown did, then Ransom just needs to play like he did most of the season.
 
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