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Young Ohio State Defensive Backs Will Make An Immediate Impact

By Charlie Lockhart

Oct 1, 2016; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Urban Meyer onfield before the game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 1, 2016; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Urban Meyer onfield before the game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports /
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The defensive backs in the 2017 Ohio State recruiting class promise to be an outstanding unit.

For the second straight year, Ohio State will have to replace three starting defensive backs who are moving on to the NFL. Not to worry, there are young defensive backs who will be ready to step in and make an immediate impact.

There are fine young defensive backs on the Ohio State roster already, but I am specifically talking about the six in the 2017 recruiting class. There will possibly be at least three or four of those players who will see significant playing time next season.

Here is a list of the new defensive backs. The first four players listed are already enrolled at Ohio State. The rankings are according to the 247Sports Composite.

  • Jeffrey Okudah           6-1.5   190   No.   1   CB      
  •  Shaun Wade               6-1      177   No.   2   CB
  •  Isaiah Pryor                 6-1.5  195   No.   7    S
  •  Marcus Williamson   5-9     180   No.  27  CB
  •  Amir Riep                      5-11  185   No.  23  CB
  •  Kendall Sheffield        6-0     185   No.   1   CB   (JUCO)

It would appear that Okudah, Wade, and Pryor all have the opportunity to start or be key backups as true freshmen. Junior college transfer Kendall Sheffield is both skilled and experienced so he will challenge for a starting spot right off the bat.

There are plenty of opportunities for each of these players to contribute early as the defensive backfield is unsettled to say the least. The coaching staff is still sorting out which players are more suited to play corner, safety or be used as a nickel back.

It may be such that Denzyl Ward is the only player who will have an advantage over the five cornerbacks in this year’s class. And the safety position has been hit by injuries the last couple of years, as well as with players moving on to the NFL, and that will give Pryor an opportunity to see playing time.

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I expect the talented cornerbacks Okudah and Wade to see the field in some capacity, with Okudah possibly being moved to safety. These two guys are ready to play now, and five-star players don’t like to be red-shirted, just ask Sheffield.

He was a five-star recruit for Alabama in 2015 and was red-shirted his freshman year. Sheffield then transferred to Blinn College in Texas where he became the No. 1 ranked JUCO cornerback in the nation last season.

My guess is that Williamson and Riep may have to redshirt next season and bulk up a little before they contribute in the defensive backfield. Although, each are very talented players so I wouldn’t count either of them out from contributing next season, especially if they prove their worth on special teams.

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In my years of following recruiting, I don’t remember an Ohio State recruiting class with a defensive back unit as talented and deep as this year’s class. And never one with as many players with the potential to contribute immediately. If Urban Meyer and his staff keep sending three DBs to the NFL every year, they will have to continue to recruit at this level to replenish the defensive backfield.

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