Ohio State freshman cornerback Bryce West was an All-State selection as a junior and senior at Cleveland Glenville. As a junior, he recorded four interceptions and did not allow a touchdown pass. As a senior, he was named the Northeast Lakes District Defensive Player of the Year. West was also a member of Glenville’s state-title winning track team. He has been clocked at 10.57 in the 100-meter dash and 6.81 in the 60-meter dash.
West (5-11 196) was ranked the No. 9 cornerback in the 2024 recruiting class by the 247Sports Composite. He was ranked the No. 64 player overall and the No. 2 player in the state of Ohio. He signed with the Buckeyes over offers from Michigan, Alabama, Georgia, Florida State, Colorado, Notre Dame, Oregon, and many, many more.
What To Like
Bryce West is the latest in a long line of Glenville Tarblooder defensive backs who have played at Ohio State. Names like Ted Ginn, Jr. (who quickly moved to receiver), Donte Whitner, Erick Smith, Marshon Lattimore, and Christian Bryant have all had their impacts on the Buckeyes over the years. West is looking to do the same.
West has played everywhere in the secondary for Glenville. He has experience playing press and off-man coverage at cornerback. He’s played nickel very effectively and has been used in a number of different safety situations. West is comfortable lining up anywhere and has the kind of awareness that finds the football.
The Potential
Like Christian Bryant and Donte Whitner, Bryce West has come to Ohio State as a blue-chip cornerback, but he could end up at nickel or safety as well. He will start out at cornerback and go from there, but he won’t need to be pigeonholed into one spot or another. With West’s elite speed and agility, along with the coaching of defensive backs coach Tim Walton, his potential is quite high.
West attacks the running game and screen passes with confidence. He will continue to get stronger, which will only increase his physicality. The fact that Glenville head coach Ted Ginn, Sr. allowed West to wear the same jersey number as Ted Ginn, Jr., Marshon Lattimore, and Christian Bryant is not a small thing.
The Expectations
Bryce West enrolled early but was mostly held out this spring while recovering from an injury. He was one of three cornerbacks signed by the Buckeyes this year. Miles Lockhart played nickel in the spring and Aaron Scott played outside. West should start outside as well.
With starting cornerbacks Denzel Burke, Davison Igbinosun, and Jordan Hancock back this year, and second-year corners Jermaine Mathews and Calvin Simpson-Hunt expected to see a good amount of action as well, snaps for West will not be easy. Missing the spring didn’t help, and how quickly he makes a mark in fall camp will be interesting to watch.
The Bottom Line
When spring ball begins in 2025, there will likely be three open cornerback positions looking for new starters. Even if Bryce West redshirts this year, he will still have an opportunity to earn a prominent role on the 2025 Ohio State defense.
West has the physical traits that coaches love in their cornerbacks. He is as quick as he is fast, and as determined as he is athletic. The history of Glenville cornerbacks is enough to raise expectations, but West’s play on the field is the real reason for such optimism.
Previous Closer Look Editions
Quarterback Will Howard | Quarterback Air Noland | Running Back Quinshon Judkins | Running Back Sam Williams-Dixon | Receiver Mylan Graham | Receiver Damarion Witten | Tight End Max LeBlanc | Tight End Will Kacmarek | Offensive Tackle Deontae Armstrong | Offensive Lineman Gabe VanSickle | Center Seth McLaughlin | Defensive Tackle Eric Mensah | Linebacker Payton Pierce | Cornerback Miles Lockhart | Safety Leroy Roker | Safety Jaylen McClain | Safety Caleb Downs | Safety Keenan Nelson, Jr.
1 comment
What’s It Gonna Take For Ohio State To Get A Holding Call?
In Order To Win: Offense
In Order To Win: Defense
Jeremiah Smith Came To Ohio State For These Expectations
Rematch With Oregon Not About ‘Vengeance’ For Denzel Burke
Tale of the Tape: Oregon (Again)
10 Interesting Numbers And Notes To Know About The 2025 Rose Bowl
Oregon & Ohio State Team Arrivals At The Rose Bowl