Last offseason, Ohio State went to work in the Transfer Portal to address more than a few holes. They added several cornerbacks in the portal after losing a couple. Bringing in some help in the secondary to keep their defense as the top defense in the country was necessary.
One of the corners that the Buckeyes brought in was Alabama cornerback Cam Calhoun. Calhoun comes into this season as a junior and has impressed the coaching staff. Now, he has become the latest player to shed his black stripe, just a couple of weeks before Week 1.
Ohio State cornerback Cam Calhoun shows his versatility
Calhoun only had six tackles last season, and he actually played better in 2024 as a freshman. However, he has a chance to start at the nickel position in 2026. He has been battling Earl Little Jr. and Dominick Kirks for that spot, as those two also transferred in.
What makes Calhoun so intriguing is his versatility. He is big enough to play on the outside, but also quick enough to move to the inside as well. He is physical enough to play press coverage at a strong level as well. Matt Patricia loves corners who can do everything well.
Even if Calhoun doesn't get the starting job this year, he will still get plenty of playing time. Patricia likes to sub his defenders out in order to keep them fresh, especially with how deep into the season the Buckeyes are hoping to be playing this season. He should still be a big part of the defense.
Tim Walton has done a good job of recruiting in the last couple of years. He has added five-star corners in back-to-back recruiting classes, adding Devin Sanchez and Jay Timmons. Bringing in Calhoun, Kriks, and Little Jr. from the portal was also a solid haul.
Ohio State's depth will be its biggest weapon this season
One of the best things that the Ohio State Buckeyes have going for them is the depth they have across the board. Multiple positions have players that the Buckeyes can count on without having a big drop-off in quality. That is what Ryan Day has always strived for.
Defensively, that will be needed more than ever. Last season, Ohio State led the country in points per game allowed, total yards allowed, and passing yards allowed. Keeping those stats the same this season will require elite play all across the board, and Patricia believes he has those pieces.
So far in practice, Day has been impressed with what he has seen from his team. Isaiah West talked about how simple the offense is now, and the defense has had some really strong moments in camp. The defense was the talk of the Spring Game, which gives fans some hope that side of the ball will still be elite.
Calhoun is trying his best to squeeze into the starting lineup in what is a very crowded secondary. Doing so won't be easy, but his coaching staff likes what they see.
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