Ohio State Football: Back-end of Buckeye defense will be strong
Last year one of the weaknesses on the Ohio State football team was the back-end of the defense but this year it will be a strength.
On last year’s Ohio State football team cornerbacks and safeties didn’t play up to the level Buckeye fans have become accustomed to. This year things will be entirely different and the back-end of the defense will be a strength of the team.
There are experienced starters returning and a new coaching staff to lead them.
Jeff Hafley has spent seven years in the NFL coaching defensive backs so he brings a lot of experience to the table. While I’m not a fan of former NFL coaches trying to mold young linebackers, it’s a different story with defensive backs.
Linebackers have to play more instinctively, read a key and attack. Players on the back-end of the defense have to recognize their responsibilities on the fly and work in sync with the others.
Another benefit is that coach Hafley will be in charge of both corners and safeties with special team’s coach Matt Barnes his assistant. Having one voice in the room should make the back-end of the defense a more cohesive unit.
He will certainly have a talented group to work with. Here is a look at the returning starters.
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CB Damon Arnette: Some thought Arnette would leave for the NFL but he decided to return for his senior year. Last season Arnette registered 40 tackles and an interception.
CB Jeffrey Okuda: The No. 1 corner in the 2017 recruiting class had 32 tackles in his first season as a starter.
CB / Nickel Shaun Wade: After redshirting as a freshman, the No. 2 corner in the 2017 class made 31 tackles and had 3 interceptions.
S Jordan Fuller: After an outstanding junior season, 81 tackles and an interception, most thought Fuller would be moving on to the pros. Fortunately for coach Hafley and the Buckeyes he didn’t.
S Brendon White: The sophomore came on strong late in the season after finally getting his opportunity at safety and finished with 46 tackles and a pick.
There are plenty of talented players to back up these five and I’m sure we will have a better idea which ones have the inside track to make the two deep when spring practices end.
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With talented, experienced players returning and a coach with a proven track record, expect the safeties and corners to play significantly better during the 2019 season than last. In fact, expect the back-end of the defense to be a strength of the team.