COLUMBUS — Replacing NFL-caliber players in the secondary has become a regular occurrence in the Urban Meyer era at Ohio State.
At safety, the Buckeyes have gone from Vonn Bell to Malik Hooker to Damon Webb, and now they find themselves looking for another candidate this spring.
Jordan Fuller is a lock to start at one of the safety spots, and leading the candidates to start alongside Fuller is sophomore Isaiah Pryor, a highly recruited prospect who played some last season.
At 6 feet, 2 inches, Pryor is one of the more athletic players on Ohio State’s roster, and he could secure a starting role as early as this fall.
“He’s one of the strongest guys in our room and probably from the weight-room standpoint, kind of closer to maybe some of the [bigger players] as opposed to a skill kid,” Buckeyes defensive coordinator Alex Grinch said. “He also has the ability to run, so there’s a lot of positives when you mention Isaiah Pryor.”
The Buckeyes most recently lost Webb, who led the team with five interceptions as a senior last season.
The competition for the starting role formerly occupied by Webb has been among Pryor, sophomores Amir Riep and Brendon White, and true freshman Tyreke Johnson. So far this spring, Pryor has spent the most time next to Fuller on Ohio State’s first-team defense.
“He can do it all,” Fuller said of Pryor. “He can cover, he can play zone, he can play in the post, he’s a good tackler. I’m excited for him and all the rest of the guys too. … All of us are making strides, and I’m just excited to see what we can do this year.”
Pryor will see extended time during the 15 spring practices and the Buckeyes’ April 14 spring game, a period during which the Georgia native said he is trying to make improvements.
“I feel like this is the time to really perfect our craft,” Pryor said. “I’m really trying to work hard. It’s a competition every day.”
Pryor enrolled early last year and eventually played during the season. As a true freshman, he appeared in 12 games, making 13 tackles and recording a sack.
With one of the safety positions open this season, Grinch said Pryor will be a good candidate to start.
“He’s in position to compete for a spot,” Grinch said. “There’s not a lot settled at the safety spot in terms of guys with significant game experience, so he’s one of those guys competing every day for an opportunity to play on Saturdays.”
To actually win the starting role, Grinch said Pryor will have to utilize the playing time he is being given this spring.
“He’s getting a lot of work with the ones, and he has to make sure he takes advantage of those reps,” Grinch said. “The message to him is that if you want to stay there, you have to perform at a certain level.”
Contact Nicholas Piotrowicz at: npiotrowicz@theblade.com, 419-724-6110, or on Twitter @NickPiotrowicz.
First Published March 29, 2018, 1:00 p.m.
