Ohio State Football: Defensive Backfield Has Become Plug And Play Unit
The way the Ohio State defensive backfield reloads is amazing.
In 2016, Ohio State had to replace three starters in the defensive backfield because of players leaving school early for the NFL. No problem, coaches Greg Schiano and Kerry Coombs just plugged three guys in and the Buckeyes had one of the best pass defenses in the nation.
This year they face the same situation. Two of the players who were plugged in last year, Marshon Lattimore and Malik Hooker, along with Gareon Conley will be high picks in the NFL draft.
There is a good chance the returning players, along with the outstanding defensive backs in the 2017 recruiting class, will be able to fill the void those players are leaving and the Buckeyes will again have a stout pass defense next season.
That’s because it really has become a plug and play situation with the defensive backfield unit at Ohio State. Urban Meyer and his staff reload each recruiting class with more talented defensive backs. Then coaches Schiano and Coombs prepare the starters for the NFL and the backups to be ready to step in when they are gone.
This year is no different as the returning players form a defensive backfield any team would love to have. Each of the projected starters have contributed as backups and/or played the nickel back position.
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Denzel Ward is a lock to start at one corner after sharing playing time with Lattimore last season. Damon Arnette is the leader to start at the other cornerback spot, and Jordan Fuller or Erick Smith will start at safety alongside the lone returning starter Damon Webb. There are also talented backups returning, and look at the new guys who are being added to the mix.
This year is a unique situation because of the number of first year players who almost certainly will be contributors on defense in their first season as a Buckeye. Cornerbacks Kendall Sheffield, Jeffrey Okudah, Shaun Wade, Marcus Williamson and safety Isaiah Pryor are already enrolled and turning heads in spring practices. Four star corner Amir Riep will be joining them in the summer.
The early enrollees are competing for spots on the depth chart already. From the reports I have heard, Sheffield has been so impressive he will probably be in the nickel package already, with a chance to possibly start.
The two five star recruits, Okudah and Wade are making a strong push to make the two deep at corner. Pryor is doing the same at safety.
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As well as the Ohio State defensive backs have played the last two years, it’s hard to believe this year’s group could be just as good. But it’s a real possibility they will be, and possibly even deeper. The defensive backfield for Ohio State really has become a plug and play unit.