The Ohio State football program has had plenty of great defensive backs in its history. Shawn Springs, Denzel Ward, and Marshon Lattimore are just some of the great corners in program history. Ryan Day hasn't had any cornerbacks as good as Jeff Okuah, though.
Okudah was clearly the best cornerback in the country during his senior season. In 2019, Okudah was a first-team All-Big Ten performer and a Unanimous All-American. He ended up being the third overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. When he was in college, there was no one better.
While his pro career has been marred by injuries, he was an all-time great with the Buckeyes. He was recently asked how he would fare if he had to play man-to-man coverage on Jeremiah Smith. His answer is quite surprising for a man of his accomplishments.
Jeff Okudah waffles whether or not he could handle Jeremiah Smith
Smith is an all-time freak in his own right. When asked by 10 TV's Adam King who would win in a battle between the two, Okudah seemed to think it would be a close battle.
"Yeah, Jeremiah can go. I'd like to say it would definitely be a competitive battle."
For a guy who locked up a lot of receivers when he was with the Ohio State Buckeyes, it's a bit surprising to see him not have the confidence to be able to stop him completely. That is also a gigantic compliment to how good Smith is. Okudah was so good that he never got called for a single penalty in his senior season.
Smith is certainly going to dominate some defenders this season in what will be his final year in college football. He will certainly be a top-five pick in the 2027 NFL Draft. Okudah was able to have that accomplishment on his long list of accolades, as well.
Jeff Okudah is bullish on the Ohio State defensive backs
As for this year's crop of cornerbacks, Okudah likes what he sees. He thinks they are going to have a great year.
"The DBs, I'm always looking at the DBs. Devin Sanchez, my Texas guy, I think he's going to have a special year. Jermaine Mathews, I think, is going to have a tremendous year as well. It's Coach Walton, it's Coach Matty P, I think they're building something that's really special. So I'm excited to see what they can do."
Okudah likes what he has seen from those guys in his career. Sanchez played much better in the latter part of the year as a true freshman. He is going to have a chance to win one of the starting outside cornerback positions. Mathews already has the other one sewn up.
If Smith is going to be as good as Okudah thinks he is, then the teams on Ohio State's schedule should be very scared. The Buckeyes are really good on the offensive side of the ball, in general. Defensively, Patricia should have these guys ready to play at an elite level again.
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