Offseason Report: Buckeyes defense gets boost with coaching staff addition, cornerback transfer
COLUMBUS — Spring ball is only a bit more than a month away, and Ohio State is making moves.
The Buckeyes added legendary linebacker James Laurinaitis to its coaching staff last week. Laurinaitis will serve as a defensive graduate assistant and work with the Buckeyes’ linebacker room for the 2023 season. He held that same role at Notre Dame under former Ohio State teammate Marcus Freeman last year. Now, Laurinaitis will be reunited with another former teammate: Buckeyes offensive coordinator/wide receivers coach Brian Hartline.
Laurinaitis won the Bronco Nagurski Trophy — given to the nation’s top defensive player — in 2006, and he won the Butkus Award — given to the nation’s top linebacker — in 2007. His illustrious Ohio State career featured two national title game appearances. Laurinaitis went on to become a second-round pick of the then-St. Louis Rams in the 2009 NFL Draft before filling out a productive eight-year career at the next level.
Laurinaitis will certainly be a help in the recruiting sphere, given the Buckeyes history, NFL experience and coaching youth he brings to the staff. But he also has a chance to help Ohio State’s defense on the field.
So does Ole Miss transfer cornerback Davison Igbinosun, who committed to the Buckeyes Tuesday. Igbinosun has three years of eligibility remaining after starting 10 games as a true freshman for the Rebels this past season.
The 6-foot-2, 185-pound Igbinosun picked Ohio State over Tennessee, Michigan and Texas A&M.
“I’ve been an Ohio State fan my entire life and everything worked out in my favor to get there,” Igbinosun told On3 on why he chose the Buckeyes. “They have a history of producing first-round cornerbacks and I want to be next. Another huge reason is their receiving core, they’re the best wideouts in college football, and competing against the best every day will only make me better.”
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Igbinosun was the top-rated Class of 2022 prospect out of New Jersey, according to On3. The former four star allowed 25 receptions, including three touchdowns, on 40 targets this past season at Ole Miss, registering a 62.5% reception percentage, according to Pro Football Focus.
His PFF coverage grade of 66.1 was ninth on the team among Rebels players with a least 100 defensive snaps in 2022. Davison’s potential and SEC experience made him a coveted corner in the transfer portal.
Can Laurinaitis be the next Hartline? Is Igbinosun a starting cornerback for the Buckeyes next season? To find out, watch the latest Lettermen Row Offseason Report presented by Byers Auto with Spencer Holbrook, Tim May and Andy Backstrom.
