Ohio State football: Can Demario McCall succeed at DB?

The Ohio State football player didn’t live up to high expectations as a running back or wide receiver. Can he do anything at defensive back?

Demario McCall has been one of the most frustrating and confounding players in recent Ohio State football history. He came in highly recruited as a running back and was expected to make an impact at that position and on special teams.

Instead, McCall got buried on the depth chart and couldn’t get out of his own way. His move to wide receiver didn’t work, and he didn’t do enough on special teams to take away from some fumbles he had to keep him out there. He really had nowhere left to go.

Now he is trying to make it as a defensive back, a position he hasn’t played since high school. Can he really make an impact in the secondary? He is trying to find footing in his final year at Ohio State. This is truly his last chance to do anything of impact.

McCall has the speed and the wingspan to succeed just solely based on his physical skills. It’s the mental side of things that he needs to work on. He needs to learn how to cover certain players based on their tendencies, as well as positioning himself to be in the right spot to make plays.

The one thing McCall has going for him is how poorly the secondary played last season as a whole unit. McCall has a chance to get some playing time if he truly shows some skill. Ryan Day will put the best people out there, no matter the experience level.

The Buckeyes need some better secondary play. If McCall can help that, so be it. Fans should want the best players out there too. If McCall is one of those guys, great.