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Ohio State Positional Breakdown Series: Defensive Backs

Only three days until we kick things off up in Columbus, Ohio and we have gotten to the final position groups for the Buckeyes, the defensive backs. This is a really incredible group of players led by what may be the best player in the country, Caleb Downs. Texas fans got a load of him last year when he made the massive play on the goalline late in the game. There will be plenty more of him to watch this Saturday, there’s no doubt about that. 

Caleb Downs leads the way and for good reason, but that is not where the NFL level players end for the Buckeyes. Next to him in the strong safety spot is likely to be either Malik Hartford or Jaylen McClain. Both have gotten snaps throughout their career, but are stepping into major roles this year with the departure of Lathan Ransom this offseason. 

Moving over to the CB group, and it’s a trio of supremely talented players that all have plenty of experience as well. We will start with Davison Igbinosun, who could’ve very well moved onto the NFL this offseason, but decided to return. He is coming off a year where he had 16 penalties called on him and struggled at times in coverage. That being said, the ceiling is very high if he can avoid mistakes, but I would bet Sarkisian is ready to test him Saturday.

Jermaine Matthews Jr. will be on the other side of the field, and he is another guy that will play on Sundays in the future. He is a very strong, intense player, which is a massive asset considering he only stands at 5’11” and gives up inches to the majority of his matchups. Matthews plays incredibly hard nosed football and is incredibly good at positioning to put himself in great spots. He’ll be getting plenty of Ryan Wingo and Parker Livingstone on Saturday and it will be a tough matchup for both. 

At the nickel spot, it is Lorenzo Styles, yet another player that will find his way onto an NFL field consistently soon. He is filling the position of Jordan Hancock, someone who was incredibly valuable to this back end last year. Styles is a very versatile and physical player, much like Hancock, and he will have to bring that to the table on Saturday. He is who DeAndre Moore Jr. will be seeing plenty of, and Moore will have to be ready for some physical play at the line this weekend. 

The depth in this position group, much like the rest of the Ohio State roster, is inexperienced, incredibly talented players. Devin Sanchez is the headliner, and someone Texas fans will remember from his recruiting in the 2024 class. Faheem Dalene is another freshman that will be thrust into some type of action this year, even if it’s not on Saturday. Aaron Scott Jr., Bryce West and more fill out the rest of the depth chart, but the top line is as good as there is in the country. 

Led by Caleb Downs, the Ohio State secondary will be one the best in the country this year. Igbinosun, Matthews Jr. and Styles Jr. are as good of a CB trio you will find around the country. There are places to attack, but picking and choosing your moments is paramount against a group that will make you pay for mistakes.

This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: Caleb Downs leads a changing, but still experienced Ohio State backend

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