College Football: Building a super team position by position
Another contender for DB U, the Ohio State Buckeyes have fielded some of the best secondaries for decades. Elite corner play has buoyed the efficiency of the safety play in Columbus and the Buckeyes could contend for the best crop of corners as well.
Malik Hooker was the latest Ohio State safety to be drafted in the first round. He was selected No. 15 overall by the Indianapolis Colts in the 2017 NFL Draft, which isn’t surprising given the seven interceptions and three pick sixes he registered in his final season with the Buckeyes.
The dominance in the secondary isn’t all that surprising when the man who started the lineage of great safeties earned the nickname “The Assassin”. Jack Tatum, former Buckeye and Oakland Raider safety, was one of the most terrifying tacklers in his time. Shot out of a canon, Tatum leveled ball carriers.
The Buckeyes have finished in the top 30 in passing defense over the last four seasons and have eight top 30 finishes in the past 10 seasons. It’s unusual to see Ohio State outside of the top 20, thanks in large part to the constant parade of center fielders.