With The First Pick
Fansided

Jeffery Okudah: Cornerback prospect of the decade declares for 2020 NFL Draft

By Jeremiah Bogan

ANN ARBOR, MI - NOVEMBER 30: Jeff Okudah #1 of the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrates a fourth down strop during the fourth quarter of the game against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium on November 30, 2019 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Ohio State defeated Michigan 56-27. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MI - NOVEMBER 30: Jeff Okudah #1 of the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrates a fourth down strop during the fourth quarter of the game against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium on November 30, 2019 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Ohio State defeated Michigan 56-27. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
GLENDALE, ARIZONA – DECEMBER 28: Jeff Okudah #1 of the Ohio State Buckeyes defends a pass to Justyn Ross #8 of the Clemson Tigers in the second half during the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium on December 28, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. He has entered the 2020 NFL Draft. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA – DECEMBER 28: Jeff Okudah #1 of the Ohio State Buckeyes defends a pass to Justyn Ross #8 of the Clemson Tigers in the second half during the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium on December 28, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. He has entered the 2020 NFL Draft. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /

1

Jeffrey Okudah CB

Ohio State Buckeyes Football
Ohio State Buckeyes Football /

Scouting Report

Saturday night in the Fiesta Bowl, the world got a glimpse of how special Jeffrey Okudah is. He has now declared for the 2020 NFL Draft.

Fresh off of his big game on the national stage in the playoffs, Ohio State cornerback Jeffrey Okudah has officially declared for the 2020 NFL Draft. Okudah is almost as consensus as it gets when it comes to being the top player at his position; he is the best cornerback prospect that we have seen in the last ten years as his skillset compares favorably to Jalen Ramsey. His declaration comes as expected especially introducing himself to the rest of the world last Saturday night against Clemson.

His level of play to match his traits puts him firmly in the conversation as the best cornerback prospect of the last ten years. Okudah wins at the line of scrimmage with a patient soft shoe technique allowing himself to stay square and effortlessly mirror Wide Receivers. His very good line of scrimmage skills are a result of his confidence in his elite speed to run stride for stride with any receiver in the country.

Okudah is supremely gifted physically with a long and lanky 6-1 and 200lb frame yet has the fluidity of a sub 5-10 corner as he is able to flip his hips and transition seamlessly with route stems and breaks at the top of routes. He displays elite footwork that is consistently balanced, allowing him to show off his explosive change of direction abilities once he diagnoses the route. His very good click and close abilities are evident in his comfort to let routes close on him in Off-Coverage so that he can play tight at all times.

Once the ball is in the air, Okudah uses his very good length to get his hands on the football. Rarely out of position, Okudah competes on every ball in his coverage as he understands when to turn his head around or when to play the receivers hands. He is not afraid to add support in the run game as a very willing and solid tackler as well.

dark. Next. Fixing the Browns: Coaching hires, 2020 NFL Draft, and beyond

He has all the makings of what looks to be the NFL’s next shutdown corner. Jeffery Okudah is a special prospect who should have no problem claiming a few All-Pro seasons in his NFL career and is a Top three overall prospect in this draft class.

Home/NFL Draft News