Ohio State has added what should be the final piece to its 2022 cornerback puzzle.
In his search for a fourth cornerback in the 2022 class, Kerry Coombs extended an offer to Texas's Terrance Brooks a little over two weeks ago on June 14. The fact that it took so little time to add the talented defender to the commitment column is further evidence of what Coombs is capable of on the recruiting trail.
Despite having an abundance of success in the Lone Star State, it was looking like the Brooks recruitment was coming down to Alabama and Texas. And it really made sense given how long those programs had been recruiting him. The Buckeyes hosted Brooks for an official visit on June 21, but Nick Saban got the last shot shortly thereafter.
Coombs beat out the reigning national champions along with his father's alma mater (Texas A&M) to land yet another one of the nation's top cornerbacks and a big-time addition to the class.
On the Field
If you're a fan of cornerbacks with length, then the latest Buckeye commitment gives you plenty to be excited about. While Brooks checks in right around six feet and 190 pounds, he's blessed with an impressive wingspan that is reportedly 80 inches in length. A cornerback with 6-foot-8 inch arms? Sign me up for that.
After playing at Plano's John Paul II High School, Brooks has since made the move to Little Elm; the same program that produced another lengthy Buckeye corner in Ryan Watts. His father Chet Brooks played safety for the Aggies and spent two years suiting up for the San Francisco 49ers. The elder Brooks is now a coach himself and goes by "daDBwhisperer" on Twitter, which is absolutely something I can appreciate.
Rated as the nation's No. 8 corner and No. 58 overall prospect, Brooks has adequate size for the position and uses his plus wingspan to his advantage. His speed and athleticism should allow him to play off of opposing wideouts while his length works to his advantage in press-man coverage. Brooks has performed well in a number of camp settings and recently moved up 84 spots according to Rivals.com where he's now listed at No. 48 nationally.
Good rep between Terrance Brooks and Evan Stewart pic.twitter.com/6U3jQh2r7e
— Mike Roach (@MikeRoach247) March 14, 2021
In the Class
Coombs now has five defensive backs committed with for of those being true cornerbacks. Terrance Brooks joins Jaheim Singletary, Jyarie Brown, and Ryan Turner in what will undoubtedly be one of the nation's top hauls at the position. Florida athlete Kye Stokes is also in the fold and can play either safety or corner. This comes on the heels of a 2021 class that included Jordan Hancock, Jakailin Johnson, and Denzel Burke.
The plan has been to take four corners in 2022. Missouri's Toriano Pride was another player the Buckeyes had been looking at prior to his commitment to Clemson. Coombs should essentially now be done at the position. But as we all know, recruiting never stops and each one of the quartet will continue to be recruited by the Buckeyes and other programs as well.
The four corners collectively will give Ohio State some options on the outside and in the slot. Singletary and Brooks both have tremendous length while Turner and Brown are touted prospects as well. The focus can now switch over the safety position with top targets like Iowa's Xavier Nwankpa and Las Vegas's Zion Branch both still looking to make their decisions. Coombs has the Buckeyes in a solid spot – and perhaps even in the lead – for each of them.
Brooks' commitment also helps to strengthen Ryan Days' spot atop the national recruiting rankings. Ohio State has a solid lead over the second-place Fighting Irish and will again be battling familiar foes like Alabama and Georgia for the recruiting crown.
