Ohio State football: What to know about the Buckeyes’ secondary

Here is a look at three positions that have veterans returning and youngsters looking to steal their jobs:

Deep safety

Returning starter: Josh Proctor

In the mix: Marcus Hooker, Bryson Shaw, Jantzen Dunn, Jaylen Johnson

With Ohio State favoring a single-high safety defense, this is an important position that requires a true centerfielder who can roam the field and prevent big plays.

Proctor and Hooker both got chances last season and had their ups and downs.

The 6-foot-2, 195-pound Proctor started the last three games last season and finished with 20 tackles.

Hooker started the first four games last fall but struggled with consistency and eventually was benched. He was sidelined for spring practice while facing a OVI charge to which he pled guilty in April. The junior’s status for the fall is unknown, but he is still listed on the roster online.

Shaw had one tackle and one pass break-up in five games last season while Dunn and Johnson are true freshmen.

Slot cornerback/safety

Returning starter: Marcus Williamson

In the mix: Lathan Ransom, Cam Martinez

In Ohio State’s defensive structure, the other safety typically plays in the box. From there he can blitz or play coverage, so this position with a demanding set of skills.

Williamson, who can play all three spots in the secondary, is among the players who took advantage of an extra year granted to all players by the NCAA as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Will the Columbus-area native finish with a flourish or give way to a younger player this fall?

He started every game at slot corner and finished with 27 tackles and two pass break-ups last season.

Ransom got increased playing time late last season and impressed. He is bigger (6-1, 200) and appears to possess strong instincts for a position that requires a variety of skills.

Williamson and Ransom split time at slot corner in the spring and could do so again this fall, or the coaching staff could move one to a different spot to get both on the field.

Martinez is listed at 5-10, 192, and also brings a unique blend of speed and athleticism. He was a two-way standout in high school in Michigan but did not arrive until last summer, so he was behind in terms of learning the defense and developing on the side of the ball. He could also play outside cornerback and has a high ceiling.

Cornerback

Returning starter: Sevyn Banks

In the mix: Williamson, Martinez, Cam Brown, Lejond Cavazos, Ryan Watts, Denzel Burke, Jordan Hancock, Jakailin Johnson

Brown and Banks shared time opposite Shaun Wade early last season, but Brown was lost to a leg injury in Week 2.

Banks, like many in the secondary, had his ups and downs while finishing with 23 tackles, an interception and a fumble recovery. He could be ready to take off as a senior or lose his role to a younger player.

Ohio State has generally used three players for two spots over the past few years in an effort to keep everyone fresh and get younger players experience.

Cavazos and Watts were both major recruits viewed as having the potential to help right away last year, but the pandemic scrambled many plans and made development difficult for freshmen.

Burke, Hancock and Johnson are incoming freshmen who are likely to push for playing time right away given the uncertainty in the position room and the poor results of last season.