“Eli has gotten very, very good at the line of scrimmage,” cornerbacks coach Kerry Coombs said Tuesday. “His game has improved there. If you’re going to play corner at Ohio State, or press man, 100 snaps a game or whatever it is, you’ve got to be a dude. He’s worked really hard at that part of his game. His tackling is very good right now. He’s bigger and stronger and faster. I’m excited to watch him play.”
Apple, the 11th-ranked prospect in the nation in his class according to ESPN, enrolled at Ohio State in January 2013. Coach Urban Meyer didn’t remove the black stripe from Apple’s helmet until 15 months later during a Student Appreciation Day practice in April 2014. Most freshmen lose the black stripe and become official Buckeyes in the fall of their freshman year.
Apple’s mom Annie Apple celebrated the moment on Twitter, writing, “Heard Eli finally got that black stripe off. We had kinda expected him to get married with it on. But it’s great to be part of the team.”
Coombs said Apple just wasn’t ready to play as a freshman.
“He had some health issues that held him back that we didn’t identify right away,” Coombs said. “Once he got past that, he’s been phenomenal.”
After redshirting in 2013, Apple seized a starting job at cornerback opposite senior Doran Grant in 2014. He ranked ninth on the team with 53 tackles and fourth with three interceptions.
Apple started every game but the Michigan State game. He had a leg issue, so Gareon Conley, who’s starting opposite Apple this season, earned the start. When Conley struggled, Apple entered the game for the second series.
While the Buckeyes lost a leader in Grant, Apple has tried to step into that role.
“I’m just being more vocal, trying to take the young guys and put them under my wing,” Apple said. “Teach them technique stuff. Teach them stuff I went through my first year.”
Apple won a national championship in his first season as a starter, but he has bigger goals.
“You’ve always got to find something to motivate yourself,” Apple said. “I don’t think we’ve done anything. Our goal is more than one championship. I’ve always said that. We want to win multiple championships.
“We’re just so much more confident than we were last year at this time. We’re talking on the field. We’re even trash talking with each other to see who’s going to get a pick or a big hit.”
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