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CB Jeff Okudah (1st Team Unanimous All-American, Houston Texans)

NEBRASKA NOTEBOOK: JEFF OKUDAH MAKES TWO INTERCEPTIONS, BARON BROWNING HAS CAREER GAME, JOSHUA ALABI FILLS IN AT RIGHT TACKLE AND J.K. DOBBINS CLIMBS OHIO STATE'S ALL-TIME RUSHING LIST

In the first two seasons of his Ohio State career and the first three games of this season, Jeff Okudah never recorded an interception.

In the Buckeyes’ last two games against Miami (Ohio) and Nebraska, Okudah has recorded three interceptions.

Two of those interceptions came in the first quarter of Ohio State’s 48-7 win over the Cornhuskers on Saturday night.

Okudah’s first interception of the night came on Nebraska’s opening possession of the game, when he broke in front of an Adrian Martinez pass intended for Wan’Dale Robinson and secured a catch through contact with Robinson as he fell to the ground.



The second interception, which came two Nebraska possessions later, was more of a lucky break; Martinez threw a pass too far for Robinson to catch it and Okudah, who had slipped to the ground, snagged the ball out of the air from his back.



Okudah was already considered to be one of the nation’s best cornerbacks even before he had an interception, the first of which came for the first time in the Buckeyes’ 76-5 win over the RedHawks last weekend.

As opponents have seemingly started to target Okudah more as the rest of the Buckeyes’ secondary has stepped up around him, more opportunities to pick off opponents’ passes have come his way, and he’s proven he can take advantage.

Okudah said his interception against Miami gave him more confidence that he could make more interceptions at Nebraska, but he said he’s had more confidence all year because of what he has learned from the Buckeyes’ new secondary coach, Jeff Hafley.

“He's one of the best coaches I've ever been around,” Okudah said. “He's made me such a great player.”

Hafley credited Okudah’s consistent daily effort in practice with enabling him to make the plays he has over the past couple weeks.

“He just works every single day and he’s bought in and he has confidence, and that’s why he’s getting better,” Hafley said of Okudah. “I told him, ‘The balls are going to come to you, man. Just trust it. Play with good eyes, play with good vision, don’t press and you’re gonna make plays.’”

With three total interceptions on Saturday, also including one by Jordan Fuller, Ohio State has now made seven interceptions through five games this season.

Entire article: https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio...er-game-joshua-alabi-fills-in-at-right-tackle

Ohio State up 14-0 with Corn actually driving for a TD, that 2nd interception just "took the wind out of their sails". The Buckeyes went down the field a kicked a field goal (making it 17-3) and "never looked back".
 
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I thought he’d end up at safety honestly. When I saw his tape and body type, my assumption was he didn’t have the hips or body type to play CB....and he was just physical as hell.

He reminds me of Jalen Ramsey with a much better attitude....similar body types, similar physicality, similar games.

Kid is a stud. And he’d be just as good at safety if they put him there as well. Stud.

Kid is Jalen Ramsey with a much better attitude. Enjoy this year guys.......we have two top 5 picks in Chase Young and Okudah. This is a special defense.

And I think Schiano owes last years salary back to the athletic department. Incredible.
 
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https://www.pff.com/news/college-20...s-top-five-players-at-each-defensive-position

CORNERBACK
1. Jeffrey Okudah
We liked Okudah’s skill set as a sophomore despite earning only a 71.1 coverage grade for the Buckeyes. He was our third-ranked corner heading into the season, but we wanted to see more ball production. With three picks and three pass breakups through five games, Okudah answered the bell. He’s got ideal size at 6-1, 200 pounds for a modern corner and freakishly quicky feet. There’s not a single thing he can’t do at the cornerback position.

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I have always felt that a teams hardest part of their defense, is the secondary players. Could this year be one of Ohio States better secondary team ? I know that the front defensive four and our line backers are some of the best but is the secondary team players one of the best this year. Just asking......


Put it this way, I believe we have the only secondary in the country who could literally shut down both alabama and clemson's Wr units... I believe their units would have a long day should they have to face us...
LSU has a good secondary as welll
 
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Put it this way, I believe we have the only secondary in the country who could literally shut down both alabama and clemson's Wr units... I believe their units would have a long day should they have to face us...
LSU has a good secondary as welll

LSU’s good secondary was roasted by Ehlinger

I expect The Real DBU would slow the Bama passing attack; I don’t know that anyone can stop it.
 
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LSU’s good secondary was roasted by Ehlinger

I expect The Real DBU would slow the Bama passing attack; I don’t know that anyone can stop it.

LSU doesn't have a Chase Young scaring the shit out of the QB every drop-back. Not only do we have the skill at CB, we have the best defensive lineman in the country (maybe best defensive lineman of last 4-5 years). It's quite a tasty combination.

I think Okudah is the best CB we've had in recent history. That includes Lattimore, Ward, Jenkins, Apple, Conley, etc. Kid is just at a different level in terms of physicality and the way he plays. He's just next level IMO.

I'll say this....having the best Defensive lineman in the country combined with the best CB in the country, does not suck. This has been a blast to watch. I'm knocking on wood as I say it, but my only real concern is injury because Okudah plays so physical. He plays with the mentality of a linebacker at the CB spot. He seems to get minor dings every game. I just hope these guys stay healthy all year because the trajectory of this team is special right now.

And the cherry on top? They're both really special kids....like good really good kids. Nothing but positive feedback on both guys across the board. I don't want to change discussion points, but as a fellow FSU alum recently said to me as we talked about current coaching situations....."I'm not saying Ryan isn't good or won't be good. He looks great right now. But everyone looks great when they've been handed a set of keys to a Ferrari." It's nice to see opposing fans recognize the talent this team has assembled across the board.
 
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1 of 4 Buckeyes on PFF's Midseason All America team

https://www.pff.com/news/college-football-2019-midseason-all-american-team

College Football: 2019 Midseason All-American Team

CORNERBACK
First-Team CB: Jeffrey Okudah, Ohio State
Showing off his ball skills on the true national stage, Okudah made headlines with his interception from his backside against Nebraska, but his other pick on the night was even more impressive. He beautifully read the route from the receiver and ran the out route better than the offensive player to step in front of it for the interception. For the year, he has three interceptions, three pass breakups and is limiting quarterbacks to just a 49.1 passer rating on throws into his coverage.

Second-Team CB: Derek Stingley Jr., LSU
Honorable Mention: Trevon Diggs, Alabama
 
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