Morning Conversational: What Is the Next Step In Jeff Okudah’s Development?
Jeff Okudah was the No. 1 cornerback in the 2017 recruiting cycle, and so when the Buckeyes signed him, he immediately had expectations placed upon him.
As arguably the highest-rated player the Buckeyes have ever signed at a position where they produce NFL players almost every year, Okudah has been seen as the next in line.
He was a valuable reserve as a true freshman, and then took part in OSU’s three-man rotation last year as a sophomore. While Okudah started just one game last year, he is rightfully seen as a returning starter.
He is not a finished product, but he might be getting close.
After working with him in the spring, Ohio State secondary coach Jeff Hafley has seen one specific area where Okudah still needs to improve.
“If you want to get into specifics, I think Okudah at the line of scrimmage right now is a different player,” Hafley said. “He has got to learn to win at the line of scrimmage and maybe I am getting too detailed, but that is the truth.”
Speaking at the Ohio State Coaches Clinic back in April, Hafley would show clip after clip of his cornerbacks working on their hands and striking various sleds and dummies. When working in press-man coverage, if a cornerback doesn’t get his hands on a receiver and win at the line of scrimmage, then he has already lost.
Hafley is trying to minimize those losses.
“Really talented guy, to me he has a ton of tools,” he said. “His skillset at the line of scrimmage with the ability to get his hands on people, that is the one thing that I told him that we needed to work on, and I think that he did that. I think if you turn on the tape, you will actually see. He still needs work at it, he does, it is going to take time, but I think he got better at that.”
Throughout the spring, Hafley brought in new techniques, both at the line of scrimmage and downfield. In just 15 practices, his cornerbacks — both old and young — were able to implement those changes and see the results. And by seeing the results and effectiveness of the new techniques, it has led to a more receptive learning environment.
Many expect this to be Jeff Okudah’s last season as a Buckeye and both he and Hafley are working hard to get him ready for whatever his next step is.
It just so happens that his next step actually begins with his hands.
