Top-ranked CB Jeffrey Okudah of Ohio State enters draft, compared to former greats

As the bowl season begins to wind down, more players are announcing their NFL draft intentions.

Of the latest announcements, Ohio State’s Jeffrey Okudah is among the biggest, as the junior cornerback confirmed that he is entering the 2020 NFL draft. Okudah is widely regarded as a top-10 pick and the top cornerback in his draft class.

Okudah, who is 6-foot-1, 200 pounds, finished the season with 34 tackles and his first 3 career interceptions. He also had 9 passes defended, including two in the team’s 29-23 loss to Clemson in the Fiesta Bowl.

Free Jefe. Jeremiah 29:11. pic.twitter.com/i9DSjUmrPa

— Jeff Okudah (@jeffokudah) January 1, 2020

Scouts praise Okudah for his athleticism, size, intelligence and maturity. Scouts have compared him to Patrick Peterson, Jalen Ramsey, Denzel Ward and Marshon Lattimore.

“We’re talking about a kid who enrolled early and was a scholar athlete as a true freshman,” an area scout told The Bleacher Report’s Matt Miller in his Oct. 11 Scouting Notebook.

A former Ohio State assistant coach also had high praise for Okudah.

“I was there for Ward and Marshon. Okudah is what would happen if you combined their positive traits,” the former assistant said, via The Bleacher Report.

Okudah is the No. 4 overall prospect in the latest Fanspeak-Steve big board.

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