Presser Bullets: Kerry Coombs, Sevyn Banks, Marcus Williamson Discuss Outlook of Ohio State's Defensive Backfield

On Tuesday evening, the preseason media schedule began with defensive coordinator Kerry Coombs and cornerbacks Marcus Williamson and Sevyn Banks.

Here are updates from Coombs and both Ohio State players:

Kerry Coombs, Defensive Coordinator

• Banks has to stay consistent in his preparation, Coombs says, but he's also built in the traditional mold of cornerbacks who've succeeded at Ohio State.
• Coombs says he got to know a lot of players more away from the football field over the offseason. However, the absence of practice time was "disappointing." He thinks Ohio State "maximized" every bit of time they were allowed. 
• "I love Shaun Wade. I'm thrilled he came back." He says a lot of the other cornerbacks are talented but young. He believes they'll be "ready to play" and "fine."
• Coombs says he's looking for a "gritty competitor" who "plays with a fearless mentality" at cornerback. "Physically, I love long, fast corners and we all know that." More than anything, he says, he wants a mentally tough corner. "We're developing that mentality."
• He says some players have been slowed by injuries.
• "The core group of players that everybody has talked about are the guys who are going to go."
• Coombs says it's been 53 years since he wasn't on a sideline and he was worried he might not be able to coach this year.
• "Buckeyes are special people. I'm just really, really glad to be one of them."
• Coombs says the NFL is a nickel-based league because it's a passing league. In college football, the quarterback run factor and other aspects of offenses lead defenses to be less nickel-heavy.
• He says having the ability to play in multiple personnel groupings on defense is important. The talent and health of the roster will determine who's on the field this year.
• Coombs says he sang "Happy Birthday" to Wade, joking that led to him returning. The cornerback told Coombs he wanted him to talk to him as though he's his son.
• On if there's any chance Wade might not play this fall: "No concern about that."
• "Really the whole mantra of BIA came from being at the best place in America." He says when he recruits players, he tells them he only wants to be around players who want to be the best at everything they do.
• Coombs says Williamson is playing more in the slot than outside because slot receivers will be more similar to his size. He says he has always found Williamson to be a "thoughtful, intelligent player." Thinks he had an "extraordinary offseason."
• On Haskell Garrett: "I think he's probably not as far away as anybody would have thought."

Marcus Williamson, Cornerback

• Says Coombs has "brought a new life" to the secondary. Williamson says he's been around a long time and brings a "culture" to the program.
• Williamson says he has spent most of his time inside at slot cornerback. Coombs preaches versatility, though, he says, so a lot of guys are bouncing around.
• Ohio State has worked some of the young guys at nickelback, including Ronnie Hickman and Cameron Martinez.
• Williamson says he has been able to bring "a lot of football knowledge" to the position since he's a senior cornerback.
• He says "every year, it seems" he has had changes at his position coach. All of the different coaches, he thinks, have allowed him to build certain skills. On Coombs' return: "It's really rejuvenated me."
• Coombs "understood my career here hasn't been ideal or hasn't been perfect for myself." He says Coombs came in the first day and told Williamson he's still the same player he once recruited.
• It might take some time to understand the term "BIA," he says. Coombs harps on the cornerbacks compete against past first-round cornerbacks rather than against each other.
• Tyreke Johnson is "extremely talented." He says sometimes it's hard to break through at cornerback. "We're really excited for Tyreke. He's been showing great things."
• "I came in pretty much injury-ridden my first couple years." He says you see the stories of Justin Hilliard and Johnnie Dixon and it's motivating even if his injuries haven't been as bad as theirs. "Having this year, this extra year, it's given me a new lifeblood." 
• Ryan Day and his staff has talked about practicing as a pro without the pads on, he says.
• He says Coombs has helped players learn how to take their next step.
• Williamson says all cornerbacks are trying to reach the standard set by Jeff Okudah and others.
• Williamson says this year has been a "blessing in disguise" because he's had injury-riddled years in the past and now he has an extra season of eligibility.
• Once pads come on, Williamson says, it's like "having the training wheels come off."

Sevyn Banks, Cornerback

• He says Johnson is "doing good," saying he's a smart and intelligent player.
• "I'm taking it day-by-day." Says he can't wait to get on the field.
• Being the backup for Okudah and Damon Arnette last year, he says he learned a lot.
• Right now, they can't tackle, Banks says, but that will come.
• On the offseason not knowing whether they'd play this fall: "It was just a waiting game, for real."
• On competing for the starting cornerback spot opposite Shaun Wade: "We take it day by day. We're at Ohio State. We've got to compete."
• Banks says Williamson has been "dealt a lot of stuff" in his career. "He's a very smart, intelligent person."
• Growing up, Banks says, he played offense before switching to defense as a junior in high school.
• On how he wins a starting job: "I don't got to do nothing different. I've just got to do me."
• Banks says last year halfway through the season, he asked Teradja Mitchell for his No. 7 jersey number and got it this offseason.
• "You look good. You play good. I've got that mindset."