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Ohio State offer, visit puts Buckeyes in top group for cornerback Sharif Denson

Birm-New-Profile-Aviby: Birm06/17/21Birm
Shariff-Denson by Birm-Lettermen Row

COLUMBUS — Ohio State loves recruiting defensive backs from Florida. On Wednesday morning, it offered another big-time talent in Sharif Denson.

“It really does mean a lot to receive an offer from them,” Denson told Lettermen Row. “They are definitely in my top schools. I will be considering them down the line.”

The offer came after the Bartram Trail (Jacksonville) High School standout camped with the Buckeyes. He also had an opportunity to enjoy the city of Columbus and the mild June weather in central Ohio.

“It’s great here compared to Florida,” Denson joked. “It feels so much better. I wasn’t even really sweating here, but in Florida I’ll just put my helmet on and start dripping sweat. Everything here is nice, I mess with it.”

The chance to work with Kerry Coombs and Matt Barnes left a big impression on the 5-foot-11, 175-pound Denson. The 2023 cornerback prospect enjoyed the Buckeyes coaches and their approach.

“We did everything,” he said. “The coach said with their drills that they start basic and then build upon each other. We started as simple as a regular t-step and break, then built onto it with ball drills and things of that nature. It was a great day. I enjoyed it.

“As of last year, my press was a little shaky. That’s definitely improved. I’ve been working on that with my defensive backs coach and Coach Barnes was teaching us some good things as well to help us improve. I feel my press definitely got better.”

Prior to heading to Columbus, Sharif Denson was one of 10 prospects in the Class of 2023 to take part in the Under Armour Future 50 camp in Bradenton, Fla. He lined up there opposite of fellow Jacksonville cornerback — and 5-star 2022 Buckeyes commitment — Jaheim Singletary. Denson has now actually been in front of the Ohio State staff more than Singletary has. But that hasn’t stopped Singletary from encouraging him to check out the Buckeyes.

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Sharif Denson was one of just ten 2023 prospects at the Under-Armour Future 50 camp at the IMG Academy. (Birm/Lettermen Row)

“[Singletary] was talking about Ohio State with me,” Denson said. “At the Future 50, he was like: ‘Yeah, you should go up there, it’s nice.’ He told me I should definitely make a visit up here with him or visit him when he’s here to help check out the coaches and build a relationship with them.”

What will Denson tell Singletary about the coaches now that he’s met them in person and the Ohio State verbal hasn’t?

“I’m going to be able to tell him that the staff are down-to-earth guys,” he said. “And they’re not just going to tell you what you want to hear. They’re going to tell you the truth, and they’re going to teach you well — not that stuff that’s going to get you beat. The things they teach are what they do in the games. When you come [to Ohio State], you’re going to get some good coaching.”

Sharif Denson, like many young football players, has had a busy month of June. With an offer from Ohio State in tow, he’ll head back home now and work on helping his current team.

“This one was the finisher,” he said. “It’s the last visit this month, because it’s about to be another dead period. So now it’s time for the grind. I’ll be getting back in the weight room and going back to the field and getting right for this season.”

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