Reke-ing Havoc
As a defensive back at Ohio State, players are held to such a high standard for certain reasons. Many of those reasons have to do with the track record that so many past players have proven and shown what they can do at the next level. Guys like Bradley Roby, Eli Apple, Vonn Bell, Tyvis Powell, Marshon Lattimore, Malik Hooker, and Gareon Conley have had successful stints during their time at Ohio State and it has transitioned well at the NFL level. All of those players are either starting for their prospective teams or contributing on the field in some way with five of them listed drafted in the first round.
One of the next candidates who could make a name for himself at DBU, is 5 star CB/S Tyreke Johnson out of Trinity Christian Academy in Jacksonville, Florida. Johnson is ranked as the 21st overall player in the country according to 247 sports. He is listed as a safety, but will most likely being playing corner at Ohio State, as Tyreke himself has stated that’s where he will be playing and that is what Ohio State has recruited him for. Johnson is ranked the 6th best cornerback on ESPN. With the size he presents at 6’1 191 lbs., his build is the perfect fit for what Ohio State has been trying to mold their proto-typical cornerback into with being long and able to use their size to body smaller or similar sized wide receivers. With the speed he has, many times he is seen playing further off a receiver as opposed to press coverage. Usually with the amount of speed and size someone like that has, playing bump and run on the receiver is the better bet, but regardless of what coverage Johnson was seen playing he was spectacular. There were either great plays of closing speed ending with an interception, or great vision and being aware to just make the tackle and using his size to have some huge hit stick type of plays. Other than his great coverage on defense, Johnson had many highlights on the offensive side of the ball, showing off his speed and strength running the ball or catching a pass in the flats and muscling his way for the first down. There weren’t many flashes of elusiveness with his quickness side to side, but often times Johnson was breaking away with his speed anyways. Not that the lateral quickness is of utter importance for him, but it will be noted if it affects his ability to turn his hips at all while covering a receiver. As an added bonus, if Drue Chrisman ever happens to need a quick breather from all that punting (hopefully we aren’t punting much), Johnson was the punter for Trinity Christian as well, and a very good one at that. Watching a highlight of him punting the ball 55 yards downfield and then bouncing inside the 10 really was a jaw-dropping event. Maybe Johnson can just be in the two deep at every position for the buckeyes.
With Denzel Ward leaving for the NFL draft, the other three cornerbacks that played significantly all return for another season. Damon Arnette, Kendall Sheffield, and Jeffrey Okudah will all start with the upper hand headed into spring ball, with others such as Shaun Wade, Marcus Williamson, and Amir Riep all having a year of experience under their belts as well. It will be interesting to see if Johnson can instantly compete for one of the top corner spots, or whether the coaching staff places him as a safety for the season with him being able to crack the two deep depth chart more likely than not. I believe his best bet on the field this year would be special teams/safety, but I’m not ruling out him somehow cracking into one of the top 4-cornerback positions. Listening to Tyreke during interviews, he sounds very mature for an 18 year old and had great responses when asked questions of this upcoming season, referring to the departure of Kerry Coombs as something he had to do for his family and has nothing but respect fort everything coach Coombs has done for this program. Being an incoming freshman, the best thing for guys to do is to absorb everything that they are being taught, compete to their fullest potential everyday, and never stop working. Tyreke Johnson looks to fit that persona to a tee.
Stay humble. Keep grinding.
*Special shout out to my man Jimmy Raphtis, for always giving me a reason to stay positive everyday and reminding me why I love sports. Rest in peace buddy, you’ll be missed.