Ohio State Football: 3 defensive players who could be All-Americans

The Ohio State football team’s defense is losing some big time players on its depth chart. Here are three players who can step up next season.

Chase Young, Jeff Okudah, Jordan Fuller and Malik Harrison were all mentioned as All-Americans for the Ohio State football team this past season on various different All-American teams. Okudah and Young both were unanimous selections.

Losing that much talent on the defensive side of the ball is going to be hard for coach Ryan Day to be able to effectively replace them all. But that is the task at hand as young players from that side of the ball are going to need to step up and fill some big shoes.

The roster is still loaded with four and five-star recruits and has a ton of talent on it. Here are three players who could step up on defense next season and earn trees in Buckeye Grove as All-Americans for the 2020 season.

Shaun Wade – cornerback

To the surprise of many, cornerback Shaun Wade opted to return to Ohio State next season and to the happiness of whom ever will be coaching him next season (cough, Kerry Coombs). Wade had an opportunity to be a mid to late first-round draft pick but will instead have a chance to prove that he is more than just a slot cover corner to NFL talent evaluators.

Wanting to become more of a complete player and lining up on the outside opposite of the opposing teams’ best receiver, Wade has a chance to have a Jeff Okudah type season next year. He is going to have to work on his trade this offseason but he is sure to be motivated to turn himself into a top 10 NFL Draft pick and to overcome his shocking ejection in the College Football Playoffs.

Expect teams to not throw to Wade’s side of the field next season, thus earning himself All-American status.

This next guy also has a chance to have a breakout year.