Tag: DBU

Ohio State Football is the official DBU and will need to back it up against Clemson. Look at this crazy stat from 2019 as proof.

Several programs brag about being DBU in college football. Look at this stat though that provides further evidence that Ohio State BIA.

There’s been a fight all season (for years really) about which team is college football is DBU. Standing for Defensive Back University, it’s been Florida and LSU bickering for the top spot. But somebody has to tell them.

Many believe it’s been Ohio State’s title to lose all along. And that isn’t about to happen this year.

With Jeff Okudah and Damon Arnette, the Buckeyes easily have the most talented corner tandem, with Okudah projected to be the best cornerback prospect in college football.

Arnette and even fellow corner Shaun Wade are supposed to hear their names called in the late April draft as well. It’s not just about the potential on this roster but their success. And that’s before we even begin discussing safety Jordan Fuller who is the eraser on the back-end playing center field. He too, is most likely going to land on an NFL roster.

But wait. Here’s a stat by PFF College that proves exactly why Ohio State is DBU — at least this year.

Only one TD allowed by the combination of Okudah and Arnette in 2019? That’s hard to believe, and speaks volumes for what this group does for a much improved defense this year.

But it’s not just this year.

Ohio State has boasted elite corners such as Marshon Lattimore, Denzel Ward and Eli Apple this past decade. The Buckeye program consistently trains some of the best corners in the world.

That said, with one of the nation’s best defenses, Ohio State’s secondary will be tested like they’ve yet to be this season on Saturday.

The nation’s No. 2 ranked Ohio State pass defense, giving up just 148.5 yards per game through the air, will meet Clemson’s No. 1 pass defense, giving up just over 138.5 per game.

The Ohio State-Clemson matchup will be a battle of two elite defense going against two potent offense. Something’s got to give right?

The dynamic QB-WR trio of Trevor Lawrence, Tee Higgins, and Justyn Ross will meet Okudah, Arnette and gang in the Fiesta Bowl, and it will be a matchup for the ages. The 6-foot-4 Higgins has averaged over 140 yards per game over Clemson’s last two games alone and is a red-zone nightmare for opposing secondaries.

Will Ohio State’s defensive backs continue to lock down some of the nation’s best? This will be the real test of whether or not it deserves the title of DBU.

Or in the case of what they’ve dubbed themselves — BIA (Best in America).

2020 NFL Draft: Brandon Jones Scouting Profile

Brandon Jones of the Texas Longhorns looks to add yet another defensive back to the NFL.

Brandon Jones | Safety

Height | 6-0

Weight | 205

College Bio

Career Stats

Brandon Jones made the decision to return to Austin after his junior season when he could have made the jump to the NFL. Jones was the enforcer in the middle and he was hoping to build on a strong junior season to increase his standing on many team’s draft boards. Jones will be part of the Senior Bowl week with teammates Devin Duvernay and Collin Johnson.

Strengths

The best part of Brandon Jones’ game is the physicality that he plays with. He often had to lineup over wide receivers in spread looks so disengaging blocks from pass catchers wasn’t an issue for him. He was able to stand his ground and get to ball carriers with little problems. Another valuable skillset that Jones possesses is his ability to close on ball carriers coming downhill from his secondary position.

For Jones, speed is the name of his game. It shows on the field that he has track speed. He shows ability to get from sideline to sideline to clean up tackles. He definitely has range in the defensive backfield and with the high flying offenses in the NFL, that will be needed no matter where he ends up. Jones also returned a few punts during his time in Austin to show he some ability if needed.

Weaknesses

No question that the biggest concern for Brandon Jones is his lack of ball skills. He has secured four interceptions during his Longhorns career but he left many more opportunities on the table. He will need to work at the next level to become a better playmaker on the backend of the defense. Most NFL teams need both safeties on the field to have some ball skills in order to put pressure on offenses to be perfect in their execution.

Jones needs to work on tracking the ball in the air a little better as well. At times it seems as though Jones is looking for the big hit over creating turnovers for the defense. Working with NFL coaches at the Senior Bowl should do wonders for Jones as mostly these issues are coachable and could make him a better playmaker for defenses.

Bottom Line

Brandon Jones is solid in stopping the run near the line of scrimmage, can rush off the edge in blitzing opportunities and punish receivers with his powerful hits. He is ideal for a box safety role at the next level. He will need to work on the ball skills to stay on the field in the NFL which is known mostly as a passing league these days.

Projection: Top 100 (3rd-4th round)