For much of his Ohio State career, Davison Igbinosun has blended elite physical tools with high‑impact playmaking, and one glaring area for improvement.
In 2025, he took a significant step toward becoming one of college football’s most complete perimeter defenders, refining his technique, reducing mistakes, and earning the kind of tape evaluators crave at both the college and NFL levels.
Igbinosun’s journey to Ohio State began at Ole Miss, where he burst onto the national scene. A highly rated four‑star
recruit out of Union, New Jersey, he earned Freshman All‑American honors with the Rebels in 2022 and showed early signs of coverage instincts, range, and aggressiveness that made him a coveted transfer target.
After moving to Columbus in 2023, he quickly became a starting outside corner and an essential part of a defense that has ranked among the nation’s most difficult to throw against.
Penalties lesson, and a breakout year
Igbinosun’s first couple season in scarlet and gray were not without frustration. In 2024, he led all of college football in penalties with 16 flags, most for pass interference or holding in coverage. A reflection of his aggressive style paired with occasional lapses in technique. Those penalties often came at crucial moments and threatened to overshadow his production and abilities
Recognizing the issue, and the impact on both Ohio State’s defense and his prospective draft stock, Igbinosun committed to a technical overhaul in the offseason. Working with cornerbacks coach Tim Walton, he focused on fundamentals.
Getting your head around when the ball is in the air, improving footwork, and finding ways to be disruptive without resorting to grabs that draw flags. Head coach Ryan Day publicly praised his work in camp, noting improvements in technique that weren’t just theoretical but visible on the field.
That effort paid off. In 2025, Igbinosun emerged as one of Ohio State’s most consistent coverage defenders. While he remained physically imposing and competitive at the line of scrimmage, he drew far fewer penalties, showing discipline and restraint without sacrificing aggressiveness, a balance that many college corners never find.
Coverage play, run support, and experience
Igbinosun’s strengths lie in both his physical profile and his improved discipline. At 6‑2 and around 195 pounds, he has ideal height and length for the position and closes on routes with the kind of burst and fluidity NFL evaluators covet.
His experience in both press and off coverage, including zone sets, enabled Ohio State to disguise looks and keep offenses guessing. Iggy pairs fluid hips with the ability to mirror vertical routes and the play recognition needed to stay in phase downfield, allowing him to contest throws without panicking or losing leverage.
Equally important is his tackling and willingness to engage in run support, a trait that separates him from a lot of cover corners. Igbinosun consistently shows willingness to tackle in space, take proper angles, and hold up against bigger targets coming across the formation.
Draft Projection: Refined talent with Day 2 grades
That growth has meaningfully reshaped his NFL Draft outlook. Entering the 2025 season, Igbinosun was widely viewed as a Day 3 projection, a traits-based corner whose physicality intrigued scouts but whose penalty history and uneven tape capped his ceiling. The question wasn’t ability, but discipline.
His 2025 film has flipped that narrative. By pairing his trademark aggression with far better restraint, Igbinosun has put together a season that looks like a true NFL starter’s resume. Evaluators now see a corner who can win in press, stay connected through the route, and finish plays without relying on grabs. That evolution has pushed him firmly into Day 2 consideration, with most projections settling in the second-to-third-round range.
There are still refinements ahead, but the trajectory matters. Igbinosun didn’t just clean up his game, he unlocked it. The jump from penalty-prone enforcer to disciplined, physical cover corner is exactly the kind of developmental leap NFL teams bet on early on Day 2.
From flags to fundamentals
Davison Igbinosun’s evolution in 2025 was more than a statistical improvement, it was a transformation in how he plays the game. What was once a high‑impact yet occasionally self‑sabotaging style has become a blend of aggression and control.
His senior season stands as a case study in how technical refinement and maturity can elevate a talented defender into a trusted, reliable lockdown presence.
As Ohio State looks at replacing his production, Igbinosun’s 2025 campaign will be remembered not for the flags that once defined him, but for the disciplined coverage and leadership that ultimately made him one of the Buckeyes’ most respected defenders.
