We thought Ohio State had a lot of talent to replace in the defensive backfield last year.
We didn’t know then that the Buckeyes would have to replace an even more talented trio of defensive backs in 2017.
Ohio State’s secondary looked primed for a decline in performance last season following the departures of first-round draft pick Eli Apple, second-round draft pick Vonn Bell and NFL free-agent signee Tyvis Powell from its 2015 starting lineup. Instead, the Buckeyes secondary ended up being even better.
First-year starters Malik Hooker and Marshon Lattimore both earned first-team All-Big Ten honors, while returning starter Gareon Conley earned second-team All-Big Ten honors.