Ohio State Football: Three defenders who will perform vs. Tulsa

3. Denzel Burke has the best chance to be the Ohio State football team’s lockdown corner

The true freshman cornerback Denzel Burke has been surprising this season. He essentially took Sevyn Banks’ spot, and it doesn’t look like Burke will be surrendering his starting role due to his good play.

There is not much criticism for Burke right now, he has all the makings to be a stud. He has rarely given up big plays with his consistently tight one-on-one coverage. Ever since the second half of the Minnesota game, Burke has been pretty much lockdown.

Tulsa will challenge Burke, just like Minnesota and Oregon did. Since Burke is a true freshman, nearly every team feels the need to throw passes his way. Burke has been up to the challenge and that should continue in Week 3.

Davis Brin, Tulsa’s starting quarterback, is averaging about 27 passing attempts per game through two weeks of football. Burke will be targeted if Tulsa throws the ball nearly 30 times. He will have the opportunity to further emphasize that he can be Ohio State’s star corner for the next handful of seasons.

Here’s some textbook coverage from Burke against Oregon.

It is nothing but up from here for the talented corner Burke. As the season progresses, he should get better and better. Surely this will strengthen the Buckeye secondary as a whole. Ohio State football fans can feel better about Ohio State’s coverage in the secondary if Burke has another great game.

If a group of defenders like Garrett, Harrison, and Burke can establish themselves as difference-makers on the Ohio State football team’s defense, then the defense will be headed in the right direction. There’s talent all across this defense, it is time to see some defensive players shine.