With a little over three weeks to go until the second — and final — signing day, Ohio State offered 2018 defensive back D.J. Brown on Monday.
Brown announced the news via Twitter.
Blessed to receive an offer from THE Ohio State University! #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/VjM2X8Kgoy
— DJ Brown (@DeeJayyy___) January 16, 2018
An Under Armour All-American out of Washington DC (St. John’s College), Brown (6-1 185) is also an under-the-radar defensive back prospect. A three-star prospect and the No. 98 cornerback in the nation per the 247Sports Composite, he is currently committed to the University of Virginia. He also holds offers from the likes of Duke, Clemson, South Carolina, Louisville, Notre Dame, Stanford, and Yale.
Nationally, Brown is ranked as the No. 1,169 player in the 2018 class, but his highlights are impressive. As a cornerback he triggers very well. He is immediate to the football. He can cover large patches of ground as well. He is a tall cornerback who could project to safety quite easily, especially in a defense like Ohio State’s. He is a long strider, but can turn and run very well.
Brown has official visits reportedly scheduled for Duke, Northwestern, California and South Carolina, and the Buckeyes are clearly trying to land one of his five stops as well. There are three weekends left, so the days are tight and it is unlikely that each of those visits will happen.
Ohio State offers 2018 DC CB DJ Brown. Impressive highlights here. Triggers, covers ground, helps on defense, physical. pic.twitter.com/UqEElWZYqg
— Tony Gerdeman (@TonyGerdeman) January 16, 2018
Ohio State currently has four defensive backs committed in cornerbacks Tyreke Johnson and Sevyn Banks, and safeties Josh Proctor and Marcus Hooker. OSU cornerbacks coach Kerry Coombs says that the Buckeyes can never have enough talented cornerbacks, and clearly they believe D.J. Brown is good enough to warrant an offer.
Given the fact that Brown is committed and yet still taking visits, Ohio State could have a very legitimate shot here. A late offer like this could also indicate that a current OSU defensive back intends to transfer.
Coombs also expects to lose starting cornerbacks Kendall Sheffield and Damon Arnette to the NFL after the 2018 season, so the Buckeyes will need to continue bringing in talented players to replace talented players.
D.J. Brown Highlights
[D.J. Brown photo courtesy Scout.com]
Were starting to REACH, Why?
Because there are only so many unsigned prospects out there right now. This is when late offers go out. Perfectly normal and it happens every year.
Many players blossom as seniors and go from “under the radar” to late offers from top programs, like OSU and Notre Dame and Clemson.