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Surprised Kerry Combs is enthusiastic about Ohio State CB situation?

By Charlie Lockhart

Jan 1, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Urban Meyer looks on against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the first half of the 2016 Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Urban Meyer looks on against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the first half of the 2016 Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Ohio State cornerbacks coach is always excited, but then why shouldn’t he be?

While discussing the cornerback situation for the Buckeyes, coach Kerry Coombs was extremely enthusiastic to say the least. That shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone because the Ohio State assistant coach can get excited over a cool breeze, or possibly from a leaf blowing across the yard. But in this instance, he was discussing what may very well be the most talented and deepest cornerback unit in the country.

Not many coaches would be overly excited after losing two starting corners to the NFL draft. However, with the players he will have to work with next season, coach Coombs is more than happy with his situation.

He had several things to say about it too according to Patrick Murphy of 247 Sports. The article is a good read and I suggest you check it out.

Here is a quote by coach Coombs from Mr. Murphy’s article and then one from Urban Meyer. 

"“If we lined up today, I would expect that six of them would play,” Coombs said of his corners, “or maybe seven, during the course of the game.”"

Urban’s rebuttal:

"“Kerry gets excited and we all overrule him,” he said with a smile. “We can’t do that. I mean, we could but we won’t be very good right now. Six or seven deep at corner? Is that what he said? Seven corners will play? I don’t know if you guys knew this, but Kerry gets really excited.”"

Yes he does, but in this instance the cornerbacks coach has a right to be excited. It looks as though Damon Arnette is now ready to be a prime time corner, and JUCO transfer Kendall Sheffield evidently has lived up to his promise so far. If that is the case, those two players along with Denzel Ward gives Coombs a three-man rotation like the one he had last season.

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Coach Coombs says he would like to add another corner to the rotation, and he has candidates to fill that fourth spot. Sophomore Rodjay Burns had an impressive spring and is in the mix. 5 Star recruits Jeffrey Okudah and Shaun Wade proved they were worthy of their lofty rankings during spring practices, and the two performed well late in the spring game.

I began to hear more about redshirt sophomore Joshua Norwood and redshirt freshman Wayne Davis as the spring practices progressed, and I thought Norwood had a nice spring game. I still think the two may still be a little behind the others vying for the fourth spot in the rotation heading into fall camp. I put early enrollee Marcus Williamson in that group as well, but who knows how it will play out. 4 Star recruit Amir Riep will also be entering the fray in June.

I guess you can see why coach Coombs has a reason to be enthusiastic, besides the fact it’s a day that ends in a Y. While other coaches are trying to find two solid starting corners, and a backup who can also play the nickel, the Ohio State coach is trying to find a fourth corner who is as good as his top three. And the other three guys are players any other coach would love to have.

Next: Is Cam Newton the Happiest QB in the NFL Right Now?

It is a real possibility there will be Ohio State corners who will only see the field on special teams and in garbage time during the 2017 season who would start for most FBS teams. I guess Kerry Coombs really does have a reason to be excited now.

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