First-Year Corner Jermaine Matthews Jr. Becoming Key Part of Ohio State Buckeyes Secondary
As a freshman in a big program like Ohio State, freshmen don’t see the field a lot of the time. Junior wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. was not a full-time starter his first season. Junior quarterback Kyle McCord only became the full-time starter this season.
For cornerback Jermaine Matthews Jr., putting in productive snaps has become an every-game thing.
Matthews played 10 snaps versus Youngstown State Sept. 9 in his debut. Against Western Kentucky Sept. 16, he recorded 11 snaps but had a tackle and an interception returned for a touchdown.
“Before the play, I kind of knew they were going to throw it over there, so I was getting ready and when the ball was coming," Matthews said Wednesday. "I thought I was going to just bat it down.… My only thought then was ‘Don’t get caught.’”
That interception only came at the end of the game, however. Matthews’ first big moments came this past weekend in Ohio State’s 20-12 victory over Penn State.
With starting cornerback Denzel Burke out, Matthews filled in and didn’t skip a beat — he recorded three tackles and a pass breakup on a season-high 47 snaps. Matthews said he was prepared for his first start — seemingly so, he was named Big Ten Freshman of the Week.
“When it feels like you’re going against the best every day, nobody that you go against on Saturday is going to equate to that,” Matthews said.
The rest of the team has noted Matthews has shown he’s been ready to play, and, in Harrison’s words, has “showed up big time.” Harrison said though he’s not the biggest cornerback, he is known for his quickness, technique and intelligence on the field, though one thing truly defines his competitive nature.
“You’ve got to start with [Jermaine’s] mentality — I think that’s what really separates him from other guys,” Harrison said.
Matthews said he is happy with the progress he’s made this season and hopes to continue to see the field more in a crowded defensive back room.
“I feel like I’m a confident player, and I think I’m very confident in what I can do on the football field,” Matthews said.
