2020 NFL Draft Scouting Report
Jeffrey Okudah, CB, Ohio State
Career Snapshot
Two-year starter who earned First Team All-America honors and made 35 tackles with three interceptions and nine pass breakups as a junior in 2019. Made 32 tackles with eight PBUs as a sophomore.
Positives
Terrific shutdown cornerback who has displayed consistent improvement the past two seasons. Physical defensive back who plays heads-up football and shows good awareness. Agile, flexible and easily changes direction and redirects to the play. Quickly flips his hips in transition off the line, fluidly moves in reverse, and stays on the receiver’s hip out of breaks. Keeps the action in front of him, displays an explosive burst to the ball, and quickly closes to the action. Makes opposing quarterbacks throw away from him. Gives a lot of effort against the run and fires up the field to make plays.
Negatives
Must improve his balance. Not a secure tackler. Slow to cover receivers on crossing patterns and tends to play catch-up on occasion.
Analysis
Okudah possesses the size, skill, and overall awareness to develop into a starting cornerback at the next level. He shows a great feel for coverage and has great upside, which will make him an early pick in April’s draft.