Caleb Houser
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National Signing Day 2016: CB Rodjay Burns signs with Ohio State
Caleb Houser via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Recent commit Rodjay Burns looks to be another key piece in the Buckeyes' secondary.
Ohio State has had no shortage of talent at the cornerback position in the secondary. For a long time, Buckeye corners have been key pieces to championship caliber teams. With success however, comes the double-edged sword of seeing incredible talents leave early for the NFL. The same is true this year of Eli Apple, Tyvis Powell, and Vonn Bell. The Buckeyes will only be returning one of four starters in the secondary and the task of filling those positions lands solely on recruiting efforts. After bringing in Rodjay Burns of Louisville, Kentucky, one of those positions has a name that will be yet another talented prospect in Columbus to bolster the Buckeyes' defensive backs.
The relationship between Burns and Ohio State has been a bit of a whirlwind. Up until January 24, 2016, Burns was a Louisville commit after giving the Cardinals his verbal in March of 2015. Not even earning an offer from Ohio State until December 4, 2015, Burns was not a name Ohio State fans knew much about.
Being from Louisville, the draw to stay home and play for the Cardinals seemed like a guarantee for Rodjay. After all, he attends Trinity Christian High School located right in Louisville, just minutes from the university. There's also no doubt that the Cardinals' coaching staff has a focus (much like Ohio State) on keeping the top in-state prospects at home for their college years. However, when a top college football program such as Ohio State sends an offer your way, it's one that will certainly take some consideration.
Rewind to December 7, and the full-court press for Burns had started. Cornerbacks coach Kerry Coombs visited Burns just days after his scholarship offer was awarded, and following visits from Greg Schiano, he cemented the plans to get Rodjay on campus for a visit. On January 22, Burns officially visited Ohio State and left campus feeling high on the Buckeyes. Now the decision to stay home and be a hometown hero or come to Ohio State and immediately compete for championships loomed for Burns.
As Burns returned home after his official visit, he announced on January 24 that he in fact would be decommitting from Louisville and instead flipping to Ohio State. The 6'2, 175-pound DB is the prototype corner that Urban Meyer loves to have in his secondary. While the recruitment of Rodjay was a bit of a wild ride, the Buckeyes were able to fend off last second efforts by Louisville to flip Burns back to the home team. They've landed another defensive back that will fit the mold perfectly set by many great corners before him donning the Scarlet and Gray.
Scouting report
The Ohio State coaching staff worked hard to flip Rodjay Burns from his hometown school of Louisville, and it is easy to see why they wanted him. Burns has good height (6'2) and long arms, which is what the Buckeyes look for in a cornerback.
Burns was a two-way star in Louisville, Kentucky, but he will be playing in the secondary at Ohio State. He possesses tremendous footwork and his long arms allow him to make plays on the football. His tape from the offensive side of the ball shows that he is a great route runner for his age, which will translate to the defensive side of the ball.
Overall, Burns is a solid football player who will play special teams and get a chance to fight for a spot on the two-deep in the secondary after redshirting his freshman year. - Christopher Jason
Highlights
Continue reading...
Caleb Houser via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Recent commit Rodjay Burns looks to be another key piece in the Buckeyes' secondary.
Ohio State has had no shortage of talent at the cornerback position in the secondary. For a long time, Buckeye corners have been key pieces to championship caliber teams. With success however, comes the double-edged sword of seeing incredible talents leave early for the NFL. The same is true this year of Eli Apple, Tyvis Powell, and Vonn Bell. The Buckeyes will only be returning one of four starters in the secondary and the task of filling those positions lands solely on recruiting efforts. After bringing in Rodjay Burns of Louisville, Kentucky, one of those positions has a name that will be yet another talented prospect in Columbus to bolster the Buckeyes' defensive backs.
The relationship between Burns and Ohio State has been a bit of a whirlwind. Up until January 24, 2016, Burns was a Louisville commit after giving the Cardinals his verbal in March of 2015. Not even earning an offer from Ohio State until December 4, 2015, Burns was not a name Ohio State fans knew much about.
Being from Louisville, the draw to stay home and play for the Cardinals seemed like a guarantee for Rodjay. After all, he attends Trinity Christian High School located right in Louisville, just minutes from the university. There's also no doubt that the Cardinals' coaching staff has a focus (much like Ohio State) on keeping the top in-state prospects at home for their college years. However, when a top college football program such as Ohio State sends an offer your way, it's one that will certainly take some consideration.
Rewind to December 7, and the full-court press for Burns had started. Cornerbacks coach Kerry Coombs visited Burns just days after his scholarship offer was awarded, and following visits from Greg Schiano, he cemented the plans to get Rodjay on campus for a visit. On January 22, Burns officially visited Ohio State and left campus feeling high on the Buckeyes. Now the decision to stay home and be a hometown hero or come to Ohio State and immediately compete for championships loomed for Burns.
As Burns returned home after his official visit, he announced on January 24 that he in fact would be decommitting from Louisville and instead flipping to Ohio State. The 6'2, 175-pound DB is the prototype corner that Urban Meyer loves to have in his secondary. While the recruitment of Rodjay was a bit of a wild ride, the Buckeyes were able to fend off last second efforts by Louisville to flip Burns back to the home team. They've landed another defensive back that will fit the mold perfectly set by many great corners before him donning the Scarlet and Gray.
Scouting report
The Ohio State coaching staff worked hard to flip Rodjay Burns from his hometown school of Louisville, and it is easy to see why they wanted him. Burns has good height (6'2) and long arms, which is what the Buckeyes look for in a cornerback.
Burns was a two-way star in Louisville, Kentucky, but he will be playing in the secondary at Ohio State. He possesses tremendous footwork and his long arms allow him to make plays on the football. His tape from the offensive side of the ball shows that he is a great route runner for his age, which will translate to the defensive side of the ball.
Overall, Burns is a solid football player who will play special teams and get a chance to fight for a spot on the two-deep in the secondary after redshirting his freshman year. - Christopher Jason
Continue reading...