Ohio State is getting one of its anchors at cornerback back in 2026.
Jermaine Mathews Jr. announced that he will return to the Buckeyes for his senior season, a huge retention for Ohio State's secondary as it reloads for 2026.
Mathews landed third-team All-Big Ten honors from the conference's coaches for his play last season, when he collected 26 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, one sack, two interceptions and three pass breakups. Per Pro Football Focus, Mathews allowed 28 receptions for 281 yards and two touchdowns on 44 targets last season in pass coverage, an average of 6.4 yards per target. The nation's No. 108 passing offense, Middle Tennessee State, averaged 6.4 yards per attempt last season, for reference.
A top-50 prospect out of high school, Mathews started gaining major experience in his freshman season at Ohio State. He filled in valiantly for an injured Denzel Burke in a top-10 showdown with Penn State in 2023, allowing just three receptions for 29 yards in seven targets, per PFF, with three tackles and a PBU. His snaps increased as he remained the Buckeyes' first corner off the bench in 2024, and he finished with 22 tackles and 2.5 TFL.
The 2025 campaign gave Mathews a chance to flash his versatility. He slid over to nickel whenever starter Lorenzo Styles Jr. went out with an injury, showcasing his ability at the spot at Illinois with a batted pass that was intercepted and a strip-sack for a second turnover off the blitz. Mathews will be eager to wash the taste of his last few performances of 2025 out of his mouth, however, as he gave up a combined eight receptions on eight targets for 108 yards and a touchdown in Ohio State's final two games, per PFF.
Mathews will continue to play outside cornerback primarily in 2026, with rising sophomore Devin Sanchez expected to start opposite him. While Mathews could still slide inside to nickel as needed, the Buckeyes are expected to move to a three-safety defense with the additions of Duke transfer Terry Moore and Florida State transfer Earl Little Jr. alongside returning starter Jaylen McClain.
Outside of Mathews and Sanchez, Ohio State’s only other returning cornerbacks for 2026 are redshirt sophomore Miles Lockhart and redshirt freshman Jordyn Woods; Lockhart played just three defensive snaps in 2025, while Woods played zero.
That said, the Buckeyes added depth at cornerback on Thursday with the commitment of former Alabama, Utah and Michigan cornerback Cam Calhoun, who previously played with Mathews at Winton Woods High School. The Buckeyes also signed two corners in their 2026 recruiting class, four-stars Jordan Thomas and Jay Timmons, who could be candidates for early playing time.
