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Ohio State’s secondary will have some new faces on the field this season. Gone are Davison Igbinosun, Caleb Downs, and Lorenzo Styles Jr.
Even though the Buckeyes were active in the transfer portal when it comes to filling some of their holes at defensive back, there will be a few returning starters from last year’s squad. Not only are Devin Sanchez and Jaylen McClain back, but the elder statesman of then group will be cornerback Jermaine Mathews Jr.
Mathews came to Ohio State from Winton Woods High School in Cincinnati as part of the 2023 recruiting class, where he was a four-star recruit. As a senior, Mathews not only picked off six passes, he forced and recovered four fumbles. Of his six interceptions, three were returned for touchdowns.
By the time his high school career wrapped up, Mathews was ranked in the top-five when it came to recruits from the state of Ohio that were 2023 recruits.
It didn’t take long for Mathews to force his way onto the field at Ohio State. As a freshman, Mathews appeared in 11 games, making his first career start against Purdue. The highlight of Mathews’ freshman campaign came early in the season when he picked off a pass and returned it 58 yards for a touchdown against Western Kentucky.
Mathews finished the year with 13 tackles and three passes defensed to go along with his interception against the Hilltoppers.
Even though Mathews didn’t start any games during Ohio State’s national championship season in 2024, he was still an important part of the defense as a sophomore. Between defense and special teams, Mathews appeared in over 500 plays across 16 games, registering 22 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and a sack against Iowa.
The contributing role Mathews played in 2024 would set him up for an even bigger role during his junior season.
In the season opener against Texas, Ohio State held a 7-0 lead late in the third quarter when Mathews intercepted an Arch Manning pass. The Buckeyes would turn the pick into points, as Julian Sayin found Carnell Tate for a 40-yard touchdown to extend Ohio State’s lead to 14-0.
The interception would end up being massive, since the Longhorns would cut the deficit to a touchdown with just over three minutes to play, but wouldn’t be able to get any closer.
Mathews would go on to start all 14 of Ohio State’s games last season. Along with his interception against Texas, Mathews would also pick off a pass against Purdue, register three passes defensed, and recorded a sack in the win over Illinois.
The play by Mathews during the season earned him Third Team All-Big Ten honors. In the final game of the season for the Buckeyes, Mathews left it all on the field, notching a career-high six tackles in the loss to Miami in the Cotton Bowl.
While Mathews toyed with the idea of declaring for the 2026 NFL Draft, he decided it would be in his best interests to return to Columbus for his senior season. A lot is expected from Mathews, as he has already been placed on the Lott IMPACT Trophy preseason watch list.
Even though it’s likely Mathews will be the starting cornerback opposite Sanchez this year, he could also see time at nickel back, which is a spot he has appeared at in previous years for the Buckeye defense.
No matter where he lines up, Mathews is going to be looked at as a leader of the defense because of the plethora of experience he has on the field since he has arrived at Ohio State.
Mathews has already shown up in some of Ohio State’s biggest games over the past few seasons, which is a good sign since the Buckeyes will have an incredibly tough schedule this season. Expect Mathews to rise to the occasion and his inspired play will be contagious among a group where there are some questions because of who Ohio State lost from last year’s team.