The Ohio State Buckeyes are replacing as many as eight starters on defense, and the secondary has one of the biggest questions remaining for Matt Patricia’s group heading into 2026. While most of the back end appears solidified during fall camp, one spot still needs an answer: slot cornerback. 

The player stepping into that role looks to be freshman Jay Timmons, who may be separating himself as perhaps Ohio State’s most impactful newcomer this fall.

Jay Timmons may have taken over the slot cornerback spot

Early in the spring, it appeared transfer safety Earl Little Jr. would man the slot for the Buckeyes. That plan has clearly shifted. Little has been working as one of Ohio State’s two back-end safeties alongside Jaylen McClain early on in fall camp, opening the door for Timmons to slide into the nickel role.

The move has made Timmons the focal point of Ohio State’s freshman class on the defensive side. Wide receivers Brock Boyd and Chris Henry Jr. grabbed most of the headlines during spring practice, but over the summer and into fall camp, Timmons has overtaken them as the freshman most likely to start when the season opens. At least from what we know right now. 

Devin Sanchez sends a strong message about Timmons

Devin Sanchez figures to be Ohio State’s top cornerback in 2026, and his recent comments on Timmons carried real weight. Players tend to be more transparent than coaches, and what Sanchez had to say made it clear the Buckeyes expect Timmons on the field early, including against the Texas Longhorns in the first road test.

“It’s new to him, but it’s just him just getting in our hips, learning little things, and then obviously being out there, going to compete, not being scared to play because we obviously are going to need him,” Sanchez said of Timmons via Lettermen Row. 

“Week two, we’re going to need him. We’re going to play Indiana, we’re going to need him. We’re going to play Oregon, we’re going to need him. It’s just going out there, competing, and not being scared.”

Timmons was a big-time flip for Ohio State at the end of the 2026 recruiting class. The Buckeyes pried him away from Florida State as a 5-star recruit last November and got him signed in December. At 5-foot-11, 180 pounds, Timmons brings inside-outside flexibility to the cornerback position. He may start his career on the inside for Ohio State, but it would be a surprise if he didn’t eventually move to the outside.

He’s already drawing rave reviews inside the Woody Hayes Athletic Center, Ohio State’s football facility. Buckeyes fans may want to get ready to hear his name a ton this fall. With Patricia’s defense needing to replace much of its entire starting unit from a group that was one of the best in the country last season, Timmons looks like he’s going to be playing a lot early on in Columbus.