Closer Look: Physicality, Length Set Calvin Simpson-Hunt Apart

It was early November of 2021 when Texas Tech offered junior cornerback Calvin Simpson-Hunt out of Waxahachie High School in Waxahachie, Texas. It was his first FBS offer. Less than two weeks later, he was committed to the Red Raiders. He then began to go national, adding offers from all over the nation in the following 6-8 months.

Ohio State and Texas offered him on the same day in early May. Two weeks later, Alabama threw its houndstooth hat into the ring. Simpson-Hunt took an official visit to Ohio State last June. Soon after, he flipped his commitment from Texas Tech to the Buckeyes. He enrolled at Ohio State this summer.

Simpson-Hunt is ranked the No. 8 cornerback in the 2023 class and the No. 62 player overall.

What To Like

The first thing a cornerback needs to be able to do is cover the opposing receiver. Some cornerbacks are better suited for man coverage, while others are better in a zone situation. Calvin Simpson-Hunt has the length and physicality — and the ability to turn and run — that suits him perfectly for press-man coverages.

Simpson-Hunt has good size for the position (6-0 190), but has even better length. This allows him to get his hands on receivers at the line of scrimmage and slow them down. He is also a track guy (10.67 100m), so he can flip his hips and run with anybody.

Ohio State freshman cornerback Calvin Simpson-Hunt uses length and physicality to smother receivers. pic.twitter.com/V2W0CmpYfs
— Tony Gerdeman (@TonyGerdeman) July 11, 2023

The Potential

Calvin Simpson-Hunt harasses receivers like a telemarketer who is bound and determined to sell them an extended car warranty. They can try to block his number, but he has many ways to get ahold of them.

He will jam, steer, and smother. If he is playing off-man, he can backpedal just fine and then turn and run. He also has the kind of catch-up speed that can allow him to correct a mistake.

And when the ball is in the air, he’s not afraid to find it.

Yes, Buckeye fans, Calvin Simpson-Hunt has a history of looking back for the ball. pic.twitter.com/hXOlFGTKQj
— Tony Gerdeman (@TonyGerdeman) July 11, 2023

The Expectations

Ohio State returns three cornerbacks with starting experience this season, and they added a fourth via the transfer portal. Calvin Simpson-Hunt should be able to be eased into things this season. Of course, the same was said about true freshman Jyaire Brown a year ago, and he ended up starting the fourth game of the year because three veterans were out.

Simpson-Hunt is one of two true freshman cornerbacks on the squad this year, but he is the only one of the two who didn’t enroll early. He instead chose to finish out his high school track career. That has put him behind classmate Jermaine Mathews, Jr., who was in for winter workouts and spring ball.

But as Simpson-Hunt’s highlights have shown to this point, he can catch up in a hurry. And when he does get on the field, he will not back down from the physicality needed to defend the run or fight through blockers.

Calvin Simpson-Hunt can turn and run with receivers, but he is also an aggressive defender who will make plays on the line of scrimmage. pic.twitter.com/vVXNRvYlkJ
— Tony Gerdeman (@TonyGerdeman) July 11, 2023

The Bottom Line

Calvin Simpson-Hunt could have gone to any school in the country. His potential is easy to see. Sometimes, “potential” refers to somebody who hasn’t yet put it together, but could. Other times it simply refers to a guy who already has. After seeing his junior tape and getting to know him better, colleges across the nation saw Simpson-Hunt put it together, and they went all in.

The Buckeyes won out. They landed a player who can use his aggressive nature to stifle a route before it gets out of hand, or run with a receiver like a shadow at high noon. They also found somebody who fits the culture of their program.

And as a bonus, he is also a player who just seems to find the football, and you can never have enough of those guys on your team.

Calvin Simpson-Hunt plays with an awareness that also allows the ball to find him at times. (Chance favors the prepared mind.) pic.twitter.com/02MGv6Isjo
— Tony Gerdeman (@TonyGerdeman) July 11, 2023

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