COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio State football cornerbacks have been a major topic of conversation during the offseason.
All of that attention, however, has gone to the Buckeye who is leaving after three years — likely top-five NFL Draft pick Jeff Okudah — or Shaun Wade, the one who turned down pro prospects to stay at OSU.
A year earlier, all eyes were on Damon Arnette Jr. while he decided whether to remain at OSU or enter the draft. Had he stayed in the draft, Arnette might have been a low-round pick at best. By returning, he proved himself in crucial areas and probably pushed himself into a second-day scenario.
Ohio State has had one cornerback drafted in six straight seasons, including two in 2017. Arnette heads to the Scouting Combine later this month with an opportunity to firm up his own place in that legacy.
Previous draft breakdowns:
DAMON ARNETTE JR.
Position: Cornerback
Career highlights: After learning under future pros Eli Apple, Gareon Conley, Marshon Lattimore and Denzel Ward, Arnette constructed his own legacy. He started 38 games, pairing with Okudah over the past two seasons to form one of the best corner combos in the Big Ten.
He nearly left Ohio State last season after his second honorable mention All-Big Ten performance. Instead, he finished up his degree and returned to become a second-team selection and contribute to one of the nation's top defenses.
Stats that matter: Arnette’s eight pass breakups tied with Wade for second on the Buckeyes behind Okudah’s nine. He recorded five interceptions in his career, including one he returned 96 yards for a touchdown in 2019.
According to Pro Football Focus, Arnette lowered his completion percentage allowed from 67.4% and 434 yards in 2018 to 45.1% and 279 through 13 games in 2019.
Strengths: Arnette gave teams multiple reasons to trust his toughness. In addition to playing with a cast all season to protect a broken wrist, he became an even more physical part of the Buckeyes’ run defense.
Arnette has the versatility and background to play either inside or out and in a variety of schemes. He is known for his tight coverage, and while that got him in some penalty trouble early in his career, it became more of an asset as he matured.
Weaknesses: Arnette also faced some “character concerns,” partially due to his own admission that he did not get along with the 2018 defensive coaching staff. It might be enough to drop him a few picks, though he can also help himself in the pre-draft interview process.
What scouting sites are saying: The Draft Network’s Joe Marino compared Arnette to former Chicago Bears first-round pick Kyle Fuller and called him an “early starter.”
His colleague Kyle Crabbs likes how "sticky" Arnette plays in press man and believes he is capable of more turnover production than his stats show.
"Look for Arnette to find his place in a starting lineup quickly at the NFL level, although he may never be the focal point of an NFL secondary due to lack of elite length to shadow top receivers," Crabbs wrote. "A plus starter."
ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. does not include Arnette among his latest list of top 10 cornerbacks.
Teams with cornerback need: Arnette’s best shot at being a first-round pick is if defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City grabs him with the final pick of the round. The Chiefs need corners but don’t have a history of drafting them early.
Detroit needs cornerback help, but should be in position to end up with Okudah unless it pulls the trigger on a quarterback. The Jaguars also made use one of their two first-round picks on a corner.
Projection: Second round to Atlanta, No. 55 overall
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