Ohio State nickel Jay Timmons is doing historic things for a freshman Buckeye.
For one, just seeing the field is rare for a freshman. Timmons is the third true freshman in the last 30 years to start for this defense.
Timmons is also drawing massive praise from Ohio State defensive coordinator Matt Patricia. The 30-year coaching veteran sees greatness in Timmons, sharing one of the best compliments Timmons has received in his young collegiate career.
"Super determined. ... Just give credit to him for having the right mindset to come in and be like, 'Hey, I'm going to earn a job and go from there.' And a work ethic every single day, competing," Patricia said.
"And I would say this with young players, whether it's in the NFL or college, the one thing I see is just once that light bulb of confidence goes on, and you feel like, 'Hey, I can do this,' and the game slows down a little bit for you — it's not just moving all really fast — you can really see the skill set shine."
Timmons has been impressing since fall camp. He shined in Austin during the Buckeyes' 43 minutes of brilliance and 17 minutes of calamity against Texas, forcing a fumble on the Longhorns' very first offensive play. Timmons also had a TFL and six tackles against Texas.
Jay Timmons has a professional work ethic
Timmons hasn't just earned Patricia's respect. He's also earned the respect of his elder statesman teammates.
Veteran Florida State transfer Earl Little Jr. said Timmons showed things in the weight room he'd never seen as a freshman.
"We do a lot of competitive stuff in the weight room as well as on the field, and just seeing his whole mindset and the tenacity he brings, it's crazy. I've never seen it from a freshman," Timmons said.
Little was not only a Seminole, but he was on the last two Alabama teams Nick Saban coached in Tuscaloosa. Little has mileage in this sport and time in two different elite programs. He famously said the Crimson Tide weight room was nothing like the Buckeyes'.
Like Little, Timmons chose to avoid the disaster in Tallahassee and go for it with The Ohio State University this fall. It's been a somewhat rocky start because of the loss to UT, but the program is still on track to contend come January.
Jay Timmons is a future NFL first-round pick
The other two Ohio State players who played as true freshmen were linebacker Andy Katzenmoyer and outside corner Denzel Burke. Katzenmoyer was a first-round pick, while Burke slipped to the fifth round after a down year in his senior season.
Timmons is trending to be a first-rounder like Katzenmoyer, though anything could happen in the next few years.
Health permitting, Timmons has the tools to become an NFL first-rounder. Timmons's versatility could be a major asset at the next level.
We'll probably see Timmons in the slot indefinitely in Columbus, but he could play the outside corner spot as well.
Wherever Timmons lines up, it's highly likely we witness greatness. The early returns are astounding so far.
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