As the top cornerback prospect in the country out of Grand Prairie, Texas, Jeff Okudah played in all 14 games with Ohio State University during his freshman year in 2017. In three college seasons, he has only improved his stock as the best corner in this draft class.
Outside of being selected with the third pick in this year’s draft, he has a laundry list of awards and accomplishments. This year, it includes a first team All American selection, first team all Big Ten, and being selected as a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award. He finished the season with 34 tackles, three interceptions, and nine pass breakups in 13 games.
He has size (6’1”, 205 lbs), length (arm span of 32 5/8”), and foot quickness (time of 4.48 in the 40 yard dash). Among his strengths listed on his draft bio are: self motivated and driven to succeed to honor his late mother, size to guard bigs and speed to check deep threats, cheat code explosiveness in burst to close, chooses wisely when to strike and when to tackle, sharp swipes through the hands tilt 50/50 passes in his favor, and crowds opponent tight to the boundary on outside release.
Some of his weakness listed on the same bio include: inconsistencies digesting route combinations, room for improvement with route anticipation, stays attached to blocks from big wideouts too long, average instincts and early response from zone, and needs to be diligent in contain duties against outside run.
Targeted 53 times this season, Okudah only allowed 23 catches and a single touchdown. In the wake of Darius Slay‘s departure from Detroit, it seems that Okudah will have his hands full in the secondary of the Detroit Lions. He had a truly stellar collegiate career, and there is no reason to think that his career in the NFL will be anything less than outstanding as well.
