The stars could not have aligned much better for the Buckeyes this year in one area of recruiting. The need for defensive backs is second only to offensive line. The difference between the two is the Buckeye staff agrees about the need for more defensive backs. The best situation for a school is to have a need in a year with monster talent at the poisiton, and so many of those talents that make it a monster year are liking what you have to say.

Corner is only a need in the fact that we have a senior and two juniors in our three-man rotation. It is time to add some players into the mix. Let them redshirt and learn the system adjust to college game and college life. Safety is a mess. I think the staff wanted to have faith in the talent assembled but when Anderson Russell looked like he was not the answer at safety, the chinese firedrill was on. Players moving all over the place. If there was real confidence in the depth chart the next guy would have been sent in. That was not the case. Ohrian Johnson is the only backup that the staff is showing any faith in. With Coleman and Russell as seniors, and career backup Aaron Gant also a senior, the need for talent is great.

I see five players as standing above the rest. The really shrewd thing the staff has done is offer five players that could play corner or safety. You don't see that often. Most corners are big enough or physical enough to play safety. Most safeties do not have the hips or feet or the make-up speed to play corner. I am going to rank the top defensive backs on the list in the order I prefer them.

1 - Josh Shaw. No, it has nothing to do with the fact that I have come to believe that the Buckeyes are the team to beat for Shaw. Back when he was being inducted to the Hall of Fame, Rams tackle Jackie Slater did an interview. He said, "Don't let nobody fool you. Football is a big mans game." Size matters in football. All other things being equal, go with the size. Another thing is Josh Shaw plays cornerback. LeMarcus Joyner does not. I know he can make the transition. I just like the idea of a guy who has been doing it for some time over the guy who is just going to start learning man coverage when he arrives in college.Shaw is going to stand up to the beating of the college game better with his size.

2 - LaMarcus Joyner. Shaw is just as solid a tackler as Joyner but Joyner is such a hitter. I can't recall a kid his size who hits like he does. I think safety is the priority in the class, and hitting is more important at safety. He is also one of the better blitzers I have seen at the high school level as a defensive back. His timing is impeccable. His size is a question, especially as a safety and I need to see this kid learn to cover. I think he can but I think he could just as easily be the next corner in line after Donte Whitner and Kurt Coleman who were brought in here to play corner but are so aggressive and so intent on mixing it up that they are better off at safety. The best part about Joyner right now is the news that Florida State has all but asked Bowden to retire. The next guy in line is Jimbo Fisher, an offensive coordinator. Who knows who he is going to retain on the staff. Any defensive player has to take a hard look at that situation.

3 - Cullen Christian. I am hearing that this elite corner/safety was the one who made it known he would like to hear from the Buckeyes. He has elite ball skills. He is one of those kids who always seems to be around the ball. Long arms and a great body to get bigger. Not elite speed but he has great hips and feet. Great in bump and run coverage. Who does that sound like? Malcolm Jenkins.

4 - Christian Bryant. Is a baller. He lacks the size you want in a safety. He does not have elite corner speed. All he does is make plays. Joyner, the only smaller player that Bryant on this list, is as physical.Take the size/speed element out of the equation and Bryant is higher on this list. I don't see a cllege corner. I see a safety.

5 - Latwan Anderson. I broke down Bryant versus Anderson several months ago. I prefer Anderson as a football player. That was before I became aware of all the off the field incidents. I think the connection between JT and Sr has allowed JT to become more confident in the fact that Anderson just needs to grow up. I remain unconvinced. Of the players on this list he is most likely to be the first to make his verbal to the Buckeyes.

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