Mention five thing you love about Denzel Burke… See more…
Most definitely,” Burke said Wednesday.
While it might not have been the most entertaining night for the junior cornerback, it goes to show the value he provides to Ohio State’s defense.
When a team’s top corner can eliminate an offensive target every play, it reverberates throughout an entire secondary.
“It gives everybody confidence,” defensive coordinator Jim Knowles said. “Denzel is really playing at a high level and when you scheme up the coverages and you know you can just count on him and take that out of the equation, it allows you to do some other things with the other guys. But it’s just a great thing for the defense and, I think, the team when you’ve got a guy playing like that.”
Most definitely,” Burke said Wednesday.
Burke’s made plays on plenty of passes when given the opportunity this season.
He logged five pass breakups in Ohio State’s first three games – as many as he had in all of 2022 – and made an excellent high-point interception in Week 2 against Youngstown State
It gives everybody confidence,” defensive coordinator Jim Knowles said. “Denzel is really playing at a high level and when you scheme up the coverages and you know you can just count on him and take that out of the equation, it allows you to do some other things with the other guys. But it’s just a great thing for the defense and, I think, the team when you’ve got a guy playing like that.”.
At the end of the day, I want them to come at me. I want production,” Burke said. “Have fun at the same time, be able to make plays on the ball, make the crowd go crazy.”
When opposing offenses are avoiding his side of the field, Burke said it’s important for him to stay locked in and continue locking down his man on a play-to-play basis.
“Especially when you’re playing corner, you’ve got to stay locked in every play, every drive,” Burke said. “You never know when that ball is going to come your way, man. You’ve got to be on your P’s and Q’s. Even though I didn’t get targeted, it was still fun to be at Notre Dame and play in that environment.”
It also puts pressure on his fellow defensive backs to contest more catches. Fellow starting corner Davison Igbinosun and Jordan Hancock, who doesn’t start but rotates in at nickel as more of a slot corner, each have two pass breakups this year.
All told the Buckeyes are averaging 5.25 PBUs per game, 21st-most in the country. That’s helped them rise to be the No. 5 passing defense in college football, allowing just 149 yards per game through the air through their first four games.
“With him doing his job on the other side, for us that’s just more play opportunities for us to make our names, put us on the scene,” Hancock said.
Maryland provides one of the toughest tests of the season to date for Ohio State’s pass defense. The Terrapins rank 19th nationally in passing yards per game, and Burke had high praise for Maryland quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa.
“He can extend plays, he throws the ball on a rope,” Burke said. “He’s a great player. Receivers are solid. I’m just ready to go out there and have fun and do what I know I can do.”
