Denzel Burke admits there was added trash talk vs. Penn State: 'We gonna talk some sh*t'

When Ohio State faced Penn State last weekend, there was no love lost between the defensive backs and wideouts. And that’s just how Buckeyes corner Denzel Burke likes it.

A staple at outside corner for the Buckeyes for years, Burke is no stranger to the verbal barbs between receivers and defensive backs. Plus, he wants receivers to know he and his buddies will be there all game.

“Oh yeah, definitely,” Burke said. “Especially playing corner. You wanna know that we always going to be there, we gonna talk some sh*t and yeah, it’s what makes the game fun.”

Already in 2024, his fourth year at Ohio State, Burke has a pair of interceptions — matching his career total entering this season — and has 28 tackles.

And Burke is not the only defensive back thriving for Ohio State this season.

A key newcomer, Alabama safety transfer Caleb Downs, has made his presence felt and earned high praise from defensive coordinator Jim Knowles.

Downs is regarded as one of the best defensive backs in the country known for his supreme athleticism. But when Knowles was asked about what Downs does best, his answer was a little bit surprising.

“He sees the play before it happens,” Knowles said. “I think he’s got incredible talent, but then he’s got the vision. And all the best defense players I’ve been around, they see it before it happens based on the formation, then the film study, and it just gives him another leg up.”

Last season, Downs became the first freshman in Alabama history to lead the team in tackles, also contributing in the return game and being discussed as a potential weapon on offense for the Buckeyes by head coach Ryan Day. And even though his stats don’t leap of the page like they did last season for the Crimson Tide, his impact for the Ohio State defense is immeasurable.

Downs is Ohio State’s fourth-leading tackler from his safety position with 34 tackles this season along with 3.5 tackles for loss, three pass breakups, and half a sack. Stats aside, Downs has served as the glue on the back end of the Buckeyes’ defense that communicates, keeps things together, and erases any mistakes that happens in front of or outside of him.