It's been three years since Ohio State had an All-American (Shaun Wade) in its defensive backfield.
2020 was also the last time an OSU defensive back was selected in the first round of the NFL Draft, when both Jeff Okudah (No. 3 pick) and Damon Arnette (No. 19) were selected in the 2020 NFL Draft. That's also the last time the Buckeyes had a first-rounder on that side of the ball, when Chase Young joined Okudah and Arnette, all of which were selected in the first 19 picks of that draft.
From 2014 to 2020, Ohio State had seven defensive backs – Bradley Roby (2014), Eli Apple (2016), Marshon Lattimore (2017), Gareon Conley (2017), Denzel Ward (2018), Okudah (2020) and Arnette (2020) – selected in the first round of the NFL Draft. In that six-year stretch, 11 OSU defensive backs were selected in the NFL Draft. Since then, the Buckeyes have had just one defensive back (Shaun Wade in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL Draft) selected.
Secondary coach Tim Walton knows the Buckeyes must get back to that dominance in the defensive backfield if Ohio State wants to reach its full potential.
“The Best in America, that’s a big statement. I think we had that going for a while. I think we gotta get that back,” Walton said during a "Tradition Talk" with Burke in June. “Get that standard back to where it used to be, man, where we have first-round draft picks, first-team All-Americans, first-team All-Big Tens, guys up for the Thorpe Award, things like that. That’s to me the standard of BIA, the absolute Best in America.”
If Ohio State wants to achieve its ultimate goal and win a national championship at season's end, along with taking down Michigan for the first time since 2019 and notching a Big Ten title, the defense will have to get back to what it used to be, which is being one of the best in the country. While the front seven is undoubtedly a significant part of that, the Buckeye secondary will also play a key role.
While talking to Eleven Warriors on Saturday, Denzel Burke made note of Ohio State's defensive backfield wanting to get back to its dominant, BIA (Best In America) status this upcoming season that it once held.
"It's gonna happen," Burke said. "I just know it's gonna happen."
What exactly encompasses being the Best In America, you ask? Burke got into that while discussing BIA (and more) on "Tradition Talk."
“The best in everything that you do daily. Best in America, being best on and off the field, being recognized as one of the best in your position. That’s what BIA really means to me. And being remembered in the game,” Burke said.
Everything is lined up for Ohio State to return to its BIA status this fall. Entering year two in Jim Knowles' defense, the secondary not only has plenty of experience returning, but plenty of unproven talent to help strengthen the unit as well.
Although the Buckeyes lost three starters in Ronnie Hickman, Cam Brown and Tanner McCalister, the returnees include Lathan Ransom, Cameron Martinez, Josh Proctor, Sonny Styles, Burke, Jordan Hancock, Jyaire Brown and Kye Stokes. Add in transfers such as Ja'Had Carter and Davison Igbinosun, and the two-deep has a strong combination of experience, youth and talent.
With Burke entering his third season as a starting cornerback for Ohio State, the junior is not just trying to improve on the way last season ended but also wants to be a leader OSU's defense can lean on.
After an impressive spring following a disappointing 2022 season, one that didn't live up to expectations due to a number of different injuries following an impressive freshman season in 2021, Burke is ready to put all that behind him and be an upperclassman the secondary can lean on.
"A lot more vocal lately," Burke said. "I feel like my leadership has grown since my freshman year."
Now fully healthy, Burke looks to build on his Freshman All-American season two years ago and become one of the best cornerbacks in the country. If Burke can do that, it could lead to a big payday in the 2024 NFL draft. Before that, though, he and the rest of the Buckeyes are focused on this upcoming season.
"It's a personal year for me," Burke said in April. "I want to prove all the doubters wrong. ... We just want to show that BIA (Best in America) is back. And we're not leaving nothing to chance this year."
A lot of pressure is on Ohio State this fall after losing two straight games to Michigan. With a first-year quarterback and some question marks on the offensive line, the Buckeyes will need to be able to lean on their defense to achieve their championship goals. And Burke says they’re ready to prove themselves this fall.
"We have a chip on our shoulder," Burke said. "We ready to fight. We're ready to play hard and just play for each other."
