Ohio State’s Bradley Roby has been touted as a potential lock-down cornerback this season, carrying on a long tradition in the program of producing NFL-caliber players at the position.

The Buckeyes have had six first-round draft picks at corner in the last 12 years: Malcom Jenkins, Chris Gamble, Nate Clements, Ahmed Plummer, Antoine Winfield and Shawn Springs.

“That’s my goal. That’s why I came here — to be one of the best,” said Roby, a Suwanee, Ga., native. “I’ve read some (complimentary) stuff, and whatever they’re saying, that’s what I believe. And I was the first one to believe it.”

The 5-foot-11, 190-pound sophomore is the fastest player on team, having been timed in the 40 at 4.31, and he’s also been handed kick-returner duties for the Buckeyes.

“Bradley has incredible ability, and Bradley has some things you don’t teach — and that’s confidence level,” OSU co-defensive coordinator Luke Fickell said. “Now, we’ve had guys around here — and I’ve coached one in the past — I said his greatest attribute was confidence, but his greatest fault was overconfidence. There’s a happy medium there. But he definitely has the ability. There are very high expectations for Bradley.”

Fickell chuckled when told Roby has stated he’d like to be given a shot at receiver, too.

“That’s the confidence I’m talking about,” Fickell said. “You love that in him. But let’s be great at one thing before you become a jack of all trades and master of none.”

Scholarship hit: Ohio State is in the first year of its 82-scholarship limit, three fewer than the maximum, with two more years to go. And coach Urban Meyer has already felt the pinch.

“Right now on our board — and everyone probably has one – you have slots, and on three of our slots, I have ‘NCAA’ written,” he said. “Just imagine taking one of those slots and sliding an All-American in there. Take another All-American and slide him in there and then take a second-round draft choice. That’s three guys for three years we’re not going to have.”

But Allen Wallace, national recruiting director for Scout.com, sees a big difference between OSU’s penalties and what Southern Cal is facing.

The Trojans will have 10 fewer scholarships per year from 2011-13, and they may not be home free yet even through they’ve risen to No. 1 in the AP poll.

“I, frankly, don’t honestly believe Ohio State will really feel the impact, based on just three rides a year. I really don’t think they’ll notice it,” said Wallace, who is based in Laguna Beach, Calif. “It will not be felt, where USC could somehow skim through this year and do very well. And then again, they might not.

“They might find themselves in a lot of trouble with depth. It depends on the injury gods. If they lose important people, the program obviously is going to be severely affected. Three is not nearly as bad as 10 … but I don’t think there’s much positive you can say about losing scholarships.”

Different role: Fullback Zach Boren has lost 25 pounds since last season, and the 6-foot, 225-pound senior could see some running back duties and be utilized as a receiver out of the backfield.

“Zach Boren is someone who can wiggle in space,” Meyer said. “He’s much better than I thought. He can catch and carry the football.”

Boren has found the weight loss has helped him maintain better conditioning without sapping his strength.

“What people have to understand is we’re not running the ‘I’ anymore. I don’t need to be going through on an ‘iso’ and taking out a guy and cracking my facemask,” he said. “Our offense isn’t in that era anymore.

“The other thing is, this offense is more fast-paced. Instead of us being in the huddle for 20 seconds and getting to the line and snapping with one second left on the play clock — that’s done. I knew I needed my stamina to be up, especially with more running around and being more in space. I think I did that with losing weight.”

Not bashful: Freshman linebacker David Perkins has emerged as maybe the most loquacious Buckeye and, next to Roby, the most confident one.

Asked where he sees himself in four years, the South Bend, Ind., native said: “Starting linebacker, captain, projected first-round pick, All-American, Butkus winner, Heisman … all those things. That’s what I shoot for. Even if I’m not there, I still want to be among good company. And for the team, nothing less than back-to-back national champs.”