COLUMBUS, Ohio - When Ohio State football star cornerback Jeffrey Okudah missed a series against Indiana on Sept. 14, sophomore Cameron Brown came off the bench to fill in.
When the Buckeyes’ other starting cornerback, Damon Arnette, missed the second half against Michigan State on Oct. 5, Brown again was the first sub off the bench.
Brown, a 6-0, 188-pound St. Louis native, has clearly established himself as the fourth man in OSU’s cornerback rotation, which also includes slot cornerback Shaun Wade. With Arnette’s status still unknown prior to Friday’s game at Northwestern, Brown could soon play an even larger role.
Yet as recently as last winter, the same Buckeye coaches who now declare confidence in Brown had not yet seen the commitment and production necessary to trust him with a crucial rotation spot. Ohio State coach Ryan Day credited a staff-wide effort led by co-defensive coordinator and secondary coach Jeff Hafley, strength coach Mickey Marotti and assistant athletic director for player development Ryan Stamper.
Ultimately, however, he credited Brown himself.
“I think Cam would tell you that maybe six or seven months ago, he wasn’t ready for this,” Day said. "But he’s matured into a really good young man who’s taking care of all of his business off the field, in the classroom, and now on the field.
“That’s typically what happens. When you really start to take care of what’s going on in the classroom, you’re doing a good job off the field, you start to make plays and you start to become reliable and play with discipline as well. I’m really impressed with how far he’s come, and the good news with him is he’s got a high ceiling, and he’s got a long way to go.”
Ohio State is, of course, known for turning out high-level cornerbacks. However, when Brown committed to Ohio State on signing day in December 2017 — after having twice been committed to Nebraska — he was not expected to join that tradition.
Brown committed as a wide receiver. He was ranked No. 59 nationally at the position in the 24/7 Sports composite, a few spots ahead of Christian Brothers High School teammate Kamryn Babb, who also signed with the Buckeyes that day.
By the time he arrived at Ohio State, however, Brown was a cornerback, where his size and speed could both play as assets. He contributed mostly on special teams for five games as a freshman before a leg injury ended his season.
Hafley, who joined the program in the offseason, said no single conversation put Brown on the trajectory that culminated in two tackles (one for loss) and a pass breakup against the Spartans.
“In order to really succeed on the field, you have to be in a good place in school and a good place mentally,” Hafley said. “Cam has worked so hard — academically, on the field. I wasn’t surprised with how he played Saturday because of the work he put in.”
Ohio State’s base scheme has utilized a single-high safety over three cornerbacks and three linebackers. All three of those corners and the starting safety — Jordan Fuller — are either seniors or will have early entry NFL Draft options to consider after the season.
Hafley, however, said he encouraged Brown and the other younger corners not to wait for their turn.
“We talk about it all the time,” Hafley said. “Go challenge Jeff Okudah today. Go challenge Shaun Wade. Try to take their job.”
While that may not come to fruition, Brown’s emergence — and his high leverage reps behind Okudah and Arnette — could help him take their place on a permanent basis next season. Presently it gives the Buckeyes confidence that even if Arnette or someone else cannot play, they have another competent option ready to go.
“He’s always been a great athlete — a freak, basically,” said Fuller, a senior captain. "He’s super fast. He was kind of raw when he came in — new to the position at corner. His work ethic and focus have propelled him into a great position right now.
“If he keeps going he’ll be the next name you’re talking about.”
Brown’s name is already circulating as the latest unexpected reserve to assert himself.
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