Ohio State Football: Urban Meyer Greedy When it Comes to DBs

There is a reason why the Ohio State football program is now considered DB U.

When Urban Meyer took over the Ohio State football program, he made it clear immediately he was going to target plenty of highly ranked defensive backs. In his first full recruiting class in 2013, he brought in a terrific group of highly ranked DBs, and the following year’s class was just as good. I didn’t think Urban would ever have back to back classes with that kind of talent in the defensive backfield again.

Boy was I wrong! With the outstanding group of DBs in the 2017 class, along with the ones already committed to the ‘18 class as well as others Urban may add, the Ohio State head coach is just plain getting greedy.

Last year’s group was off the chart and it appears there will be another addition to it as well. The position and national rankings of the ’17 class are as follows, according to the 247Sports Composite:

Jeffrey Okudah No. 1 Corner (7)
Shaun Wade No. 2 Corner (17)
Isaiah Pryor No. 7 Safety (59)
Kendall Sheffield No. 1 JUCO Corner (3)
Amir Riep No. 23 Corner (183)
Marcus Williamson No. 27 Corner (195)

It has been reported Brendon White has been moved to the defensive side of the ball and I presume he will begin his Buckeye career as a safety. That was the position his father William played when he was a star for Ohio State, and during his long and successful career in the NFL. White was the 3rd highest ranked ‘Athlete’ and the No. 126 player overall on the 2017 class.

These are the defensive backs already committed to the 2018 Ohio State recruiting class:

Jaiden Woodbey No. 3 Safety (31)
Josh Proctor No. 8 Safety (92)
Sevyn Banks No. 26 Corner (255)

Urban Meyer could possibly add other highly ranked DBs to the class to go along with these guys. Here are two of the hottest prospects at the moment.

Anthony Cook No. 2 Corner (8)
Tyson Campbell No. 3 Corner (28)

The Crystal Ball predictions at 247Sports have Cook favoring the Buckeyes at 79 percent. With Tyson, it is a tie at 38 percent between Ohio State and the University of Miami.

It’s hard to say if the two recruiting classes will produce as many top flight defensive backs as those in Urban Meyer’s classes of 2013 and ‘14. However, with the number of talented players in the group they just might.

Let’s take a look at the players in those outstanding classes these new guys will be measured against:

More from Scarlet and Game

2013

Vonn Bell 2nd round draft pick
Eli Apple 1st round draft pick
Gareon Conley 1st round draft pick
Cam Burrows A fine player at safety and nickel for the Buckeyes before injuries derailed his career

2014

Marshon Lattimore 1st round draft pick
Malik Hooker 1st round draft pick
Damon Webb Should start again this year at safety
Eric Smith Will battle for the safety position beside Webb

It’s not like the players mentioned above are the only top-notch defensive backs on the roster either. Third year player Denzyl Ward, who had an outstanding season in 2016, will hold down one corner and Damon Arnette may start at the other. You can also bet second year guy Jordan Fuller will see plenty of time at safety.

Next: Ohio State Recruiting: LeBron James an Important Target in 2018

I guess it’s understandable why Urban Meyer is becoming so greedy by hoarding so many elite defensive backs. With the way coaches Kerry Coombs and Greg Schiano are turning out players to the NFL, with eligibility remaining, I guess it’s just necessary to be that way.

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