Selected 24th overall, Dennard was a USA Today first-team All-American last season for a 13-1 team that was unbeaten in the Big Ten and ranked No. 3 nationally after a Rose Bowl win over Stanford. He helped lead the Spartan defense to No. 1 national rankings in fewest yards allowed per game (248.2) and lowest third-down conversion percentage (27.7).
Defensive backs coach Vance Joseph said he’s been impressed with Dennard during OTAs and minicamp and that he has a chance to be a big part of the defense this season, possibly as a starter.
“Starting a rookie at corner, it depends on the person,” Joseph said. “Darqueze is a very mature person. He’s an achiever also. From high school to college, he’s been a winner. His personality, his skill set, I would feel fine starting him. But he’s got to earn it. We’ve got Leon Hall here. We’ve got Terence Newman. We’ve got Adam Jones. We’ve got Dre Kirkpatrick. He’s got to earn it.”
The Bengals will have the weekend off before returning for the final week of OTAs on Monday. At the conclusion of next week, the players will be off for five weeks before training camp starts on July 24.
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