Kendall Sheffield may be entering the NFL draft, but if that is the case the cornerback unit should still be a strength of the Ohio State football team.
It appears that cornerback Kendall Sheffield will be leaving the Ohio State football team and entering the NFL draft. Nothing has been confirmed as yet, at least as far as anything I can verify, but it has been speculated by many that is the case. It was reported by Eleven Warriors that Sheffield may be working out with other players who have already declared for the draft.
While it would be a plus for the Buckeyes if Sheffield would come back for one more season, the cornerback unit promises to be a strong one next season whether he does or not. Damon Arnette chose to stay instead of entering the draft which will give the Buckeyes a veteran presence, and there are talented young players ready to make their mark.
Arnette was considering turning pro but decided to return to Ohio State for his senior season. It has been a bit of a roller coaster ride during his first four years but having Arnette back for the 2019 season is certainly a plus for the Buckeyes.
He was red-shirted his first year at Ohio State, the following season he got his feet wet at the nickel position and improved immensely in 2017. Arnette didn’t progress the way he may have wanted to last season, but that could be said of most of the defensive backs as the secondary underperformed with two new coaches on board.
Having a veteran corner will certainly help the new defensive coaching staff get off to a good start. Young talented players Jeffrey Okudah and Shaun Wade both have experience and have the opportunity to prove they were worthy of their five-star recruiting rankings.
Okudah was the No. 1 cornerback in the 2017 recruiting class and saw extensive action as a freshman. Last season he was in the three-man rotation at corner.
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Wade was the No. 2 CB in 2017 but was set back due to an injury his first year at Ohio State. Last season he saw the field often in the nickel package.
Other corners could make an impact as well, especially Tyreke Johnson. He was the No. 2 safety in the 2018 recruiting class but was immediately moved to the edge when he enrolled.
You don’t achieve five-star status like Johnson did unless you are extremely athletic so he may be ready to make an impact next season.
There is also Marcus Williamson and Sevyn Banks who will be pushing the more heralded defensive banks, and don’t discount either seeing the field.
With the veteran Damon Arnette returning, and the talented younger players the new coaching staff has to work with, the cornerback unit promises to be a strong one next season.