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Former Ohio State star Jeff Okudah impressing teammates, coaches early in Lions training camp
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Selected No. 3 overall in the 2020 National Football League Draft, former Ohio State Buckeye All-American Jeff Okudah’s rookie season with the Detroit Lions did not go smoothly.
Limited to nine games, six of which he started, the South Grand Prairie (Texas) High School product tallied one interception and 47 tackles, but often struggled in pass coverage and underwent season-ending groin surgery in December.
The Lions’ defense surrendered a league-worst 419.8 yards-per-game in 2020 and parted ways with embattled head coach Matt Patricia after a Thanksgiving Day loss to the Houston Texans dropped the team to 4-7.
Okudah has a fresh start under new head coach Dan Campbell, a former Texas A&M Aggie, and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, and according to the early returns out of Allen Park, he is making the most of it.
Dan Campbell on Okudah: "Really starting to come on. He’s playing like, ‘I am a bad dude. How dare you throw it over here?’ Which is what we want."
— Chris Burke (@ChrisBurkeNFL) August 5, 2021
Amani Oruwariye on Jeff Okudah: “He looks like a totally different player — mentally, physically. He’s just attacking it. Clear mind, clear heart and I’m loving it.”
— Chris Burke (@ChrisBurkeNFL) August 2, 2021
Detroit will begin their preseason slate on August 13 with a home date with the Buffalo Bills at 7 p.m. ET. The team’s regular season-opener will come September 12 against the San Francisco 49ers, also at Ford Field.
Looking at the depth chart, Okudah projects to compete with Penn State Nittany Lion Amani Oruwariye, Florida Gator Quinton Dunbar, and Syracuse Orange Ifeatu Melifonwu for playing time at one of the two cornerback spots.
A graduate of Bowling Green State University, Rydquist has been contributing to Saturday Down South and Saturday Tradition since 2019. He can be found on Twitter @TeddyRydquist.