With Ohio State's recent success at cornerback and its current depth at the position, reps could be hard to come by in 2018.
Sophomore Marcus Williamson, though, is doing whatever it takes to earn more playing time this season.
The Westerville, Ohio native collected six tackles last season while playing mostly special teams as the likes of Denzel Ward, Kendall Sheffield and Damon Arnette played the bulk of the reps at corner. With Ward gone, a spot in the rotation could open up if the Buckeyes continue their tradition of keeping fresh bodies in the secondary, and Williamson is working hard to put his name into consideration.
"(Everybody) has dreams to play. Especially with our unit, we are so tight-knit and you can see it every play. You cover your man and you do your job, you're going to play," Williamson said. "It's not really a competition thing. The guy that works the hardest is going to get it. Whoever makes the plays is going to be out there. We understand that so we just try to make each other better to get out there and play."
The competition at corner figures to be fierce at Ohio State, with a number of four- and five-star prospects littering Taver Johnson's room. Williamson came to Columbus in a 2017 recruiting class that featured four other corners (including Sheffield as a JUCO transfer), giving the Buckeyes plenty of options at corner. With Jeffrey Okudah sitting out most of spring practice after coming off shoulder surgery, the window could be open for Williamson to make a push for more playing time.
Johnson, who replaced Kerry Coombs during the offseason after Coombs left for a position with the Tennessee Titans, said Williamson is one of the best in his room in one particular area.
"He has done a good job. He has played a lot of the nickel spot and he has played on the outside at corner," Johnson said Wednesday. "Marcus probably has the quickest feet in our room, which is something that is a big attribute. He's tough. He is a tough individual. He has done a nice job and he has been rotating as well."
With Sheffield, Arnette and Okudah figuring to be the top three corners in terms of experience and playing time, Williamson could very well start the season as one of, if not the, top nickel cornerback in Ohio State's defense. The nickel position checks into games in obvious passing situations, and is often asked to cover a slot receiver. If asked to do that, Williamson's quick feet could be a critical skill that helps him stick with more shifty receivers in the slot.
During spring, the only competition in team drills for Ohio State's corners are their teammates at wide receiver. The Buckeye wide receiver unit is a veteran one, as OSU returns its top six pass-catchers from a season ago. Going up against that group has provided the Buckeye corners with a solid test throughout the spring.
"They bring it every day, man. They have so many guys, and it has just made all of us so much better," Williamson said. "Lining up against Terry McLaurin, Johnnie Dixon and Austin Mack, I am sure I am missing guys, but every day they just bring it. It just makes us that much better day-to-day.
"All that experience, all those reps they have especially (since) we are a young unit. Having that experience on the other side to make us better is great."
At the end of the day, Williamson said he is just working to contribute any way he can in 2018.
"Just trying to get on the field. Special teams, corner, nickel, whatever it may be," he said. "I am just trying to help."
