Ohio State Football: 5 breakout players to watch in 2018

ARLINGTON, TX - DECEMBER 29: The Ohio State Buckeyes celebrate with a team photo following the 82nd Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic between USC and Ohio State at AT&T Stadium on December 29, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. Ohio State won 24-7. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images) /

2 of 5

ARLINGTON, TX – DECEMBER 29: Tyler Vaughns #21 of the USC Trojans pulls in a pass against Jeffrey Okudah #29 of the Ohio State Buckeyes during the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic at AT&T Stadium on December 29, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

The Ohio State secondary has a boatload of promising options, but Okudah might be the most exciting of the bunch. A former five-star recruit who was ranked as the best cornerback in the class of 2017, he saw the field almost immediately and tallied 17 tackles over nine games of action.

It was his final game of the season, though, that got people talking. Filling in for NFL-bound senior Denzel Ward, Okudah was impressive against USC in the Cotton Bowl, racking up a career-high four tackles and earning praise from the OSU coaching staff.

He’s been recovering from injuries this offseason, but coaches are confident that the young corner can be fully healthy for the 2018 season and play a big role in the Buckeyes’ rotation at corner. Even if he isn’t starting right away, he’ll almost certainly see a big increase in snaps. Many see him as the next great NFL-bound Ohio State corner.

Home/Ohio State Buckeyes