Spring Preview: Could Buckeyes Continue Cornerback Rotation?

Overview

The Ohio State cornerback position is loaded with potential and returns enough experience to think that this could be a strength of the defense. A pair of veterans will lead the way, but there will be plenty of opportunities for the first and second-year players to make some noise.

Scholarship Roster

Davison Igbinosun, Sr, 6-2 193
Back for his third year as a starter for the Buckeyes. They will continue to work on his grabbing, but don’t want to alter his overall physicality much.

Jermaine Mathews, Jr, 5-11 189
Fought his way into the rotation last season and is viewed as a returning starter. He spent last spring at nickel and could again this spring.

Aaron Scott, Soph, 6-0 185
Expects to be in the rotation this season. Has exactly the kind of confidence a cornerback needs. Long and athletic.

Bryce West, rFr, 5-11 196
Maybe the fastest player on the team. Played in seven games last season but was still able to redshirt. May also be found at nickel this spring.

Devin Sanchez, Fr, 6-2 195
The top cornerback in the 2025 recruiting class. Has already added about 20 pounds since getting to campus. As athletic as you could possibly want.

Jordyn Woods, Fr, 6-3 200
Won’t arrive until June but is a long, tall cornerback who will likely redshirt but has some intriguing measurables.

For Starters

Four-year starter Denzel Burke is off to the NFL, leaving a void of experience that is expected to be filled by senior Davison Igbinosun and junior Jermaine Mathews. Mathews was the top reserve last season before moving into a three-man rotation over the second half of the season. There should not be a better starting duo in the conference this year.

New Additions

Ohio State signed a pair of cornerbacks in the 2025 recruiting class. Devin Sanchez is already generating buzz in winter workouts, and not just because of he was the top cornerback in the class. He’s as big as a safety but moves very much like a cornerback. The expectations are high — and probably too high for some, but cornerbacks coach Tim Walton isn’t going to set any limits on him.

Spring Depth Chart

1	Davison Igbinosun
7	Jermaine Mathews
5	Aaron Scott
12	Bryce West
4	Devin Sanchez

What’s The Latest

After speaking with the Ohio State assistant coaches last week, safeties coach Matt Guerrieri mentioned Jermaine Mathews’ name as a possibility at nickel this spring with Lorenzo Styles. Mathews spent last spring at nickel, so this wouldn’t be anything new, nor would it mean that he’s actually moving to nickel this season. It would certainly open up the cornerback reps for Aaron Scott, Bryce West, and Devin Sanchez given that Davison Igbinosun will getting a bit of a break this spring. Given the lack of scholarship numbers at the position, however, Mathews’ presence at cornerback wouldn’t negatively impact reps that much for the young guys. It would also give them an example of what Tim Walton is looking for from the position.

Expectations

For the Ohio State cornerbacks, this spring is going to be about getting the young guys as many reps as possible. It’s all teaching and learning, so expect Aaron Scott, Bryce West, and Devin Sanchez to all grow from these 15 practices. They will each have their struggles but will be better for it. By the end of camp, however, those struggles will be happening less and less.

Question Needing An Answer

Where exactly will Jermaine Mathews and Bryce West be practicing this spring? Both have been mentioned as options at nickel, though to be fair to West it was former nickel Jordan Hancock at the NFL Combine who mentioned him as a possibility. If Mathews is at nickel, do you need West there when they’ll also have Lorenzo Styles and Miles Lockhart? If Mathews is at nickel, then that likely means West stays at corner this spring. But it’s probably safe to expect some players to move inside and outside over the course of spring practice and fall camp.

Breakout Candidate

The good news is here is that you could name Aaron Scott, Bryce West, or Devin Sanchez and feel pretty good about your selection. The fact that 60% of OSU’s scholarship cornerbacks this spring are “breakout candidates” is as much a story of the Buckeyes’ youth as it is their potential. Scott and West both played in seven games last year, but it’s not like they played in the biggest moments. For the Buckeye fans who are screaming for Devin Sanchez right now, it’s okay to just let a freshman be a freshman — especially in the spring. Not everybody shows up as a 30-year old 18-year old like Jeremiah Smith.

Quarterback | Running Back | Safety

Go to discussion...