By: Doug Lesmerises (Cleveland Plain Dealer) –

Breaking down the best 20 Ohio State players on the roster right now as the Buckeyes open practice today.

No. 7: Junior cornerback Chimdi Chekwa

He’s fast, running for Ohio State’s 400 meter relay team in the spring, though he was sidelined when the Buckeyes ran their 40 times a few months ago. And he can tackle. Cornerbacks coach Taver Johnson refers to Chekwa as a guy not afraid to take your head off on the field. That’s a good start for a corner.

A year ago, the Buckeyes could put three corners on the field – Chekwa, Malcolm Jenkins and Donald Washington – that were as good as any group of three corners in the country. Jenkins was the first defensive back chosen in the NFL Draft, Washington the 23rd.

And now Chekwa is the one left to handle the load. I expect him to emerge as one of the best corners in the conference. While the second corner spot will be decided between Andre Amos, Devon Torrence and Travis Howard, the Buckeyes need Chekwa to be the obvious answer on the other side of the field.

I won’t be surprised if he takes Jenkins’ spot on the All-Big Ten first team at the end of the season.

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