The Ohio State Buckeyes will have some real experience at the cornerback position. Kendall Sheffield will look to on a good season last year, but not the season most expected the former 5-star, Alabama transfer to have. Sheffield is looking to be the next first-round pick out of Ohio State at the cornerback position. I expect him to have the breakout season he wants to achieve. I am going to the guess the Junior will have at least 3 interceptions this year.
On the other side of the field will most likely be Damon Arnette. Arnette started last year, so this is a no surprise he will be the starter this year. Splitting carries is Jeffrey Okudauh. Okudah got the starting job for the Cotton Bowl last year after Denzel Ward chose not to play in the risk of injury before the 2018 NFL Draft. The coaching staff is high on Okudah and I’m expecting him to have a huge season. I wouldn’t be surprised if Okudah didn’t get the starting job at some point in the season, but I’m giving the job to Sheffield and Arnette do to their experience already. The next in line player is Shaun Wade. Another 5-star player. Wade will be a big key for the Buckeyes, especially if one of our other cornerbacks go down with an injury. Ohio State shouldn’t miss a beat though. Wade has been committed to being a Buckeye since 2015, and is ready to show Buckeye Nation what he can do.
Jordan Fuller should return as one of the starting safeties. Fuller had a good year last year, and I’m expecting him to have another good year this year. The big question mark for the Buckeye Secondary is the other safety. I’m expecting it to be Isiah Pryor who had playing time last year, but not in any real meaningful time. The safety position is the only real place where the Buckeyes don’t have real depth. Josh Proctor is coming in this year, but he will be a true freshman. They also have Brendon White who has only played in 1 game against Rutgers, where the Buckeyes won 56-0. Shaun Wade may move to the safety position if need be this year since the Buckeyes have 3 reliable corners, but hopefully Fuller and Proctor can stay healthy throughout the year.
The Buckeyes will also miss hype-man Kerry Combs, who left the program to become the secondary coach for the Tennessee Titans. the Buckeyes are bringing back Taver Johnson who coached the Buckeyes in 2007-2011 with Jim Tressel. Johnson has coached talent before including Malcolm Jenkins and Kurt Coleman. I expect the Buckeyes secondary to be the same secondary that has been sending cornerbacks and safeties to the NFL year after year.
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