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Football
Torrence Still Has the Itch
By Brandon Castel

COLUMBUS — Devon Torrence’s stint at wide receiver was short-lived, but the experience has left a lasting impact on the Ohio State senior.

Devon Torrence celebrates after recording an interception against Michigan last season.
Photo by Jim Davidsion

A two-sport star out of high school, Torrence has played both sides of the ball during his time in Columbus, but settled in as a starting cornerback last season across from Chimdi Chekwa. He made 35 tackles, intercepted two passes, forced two fumbles and recorded one sack for one of the top-rated defenses in the country, but some itches just never go away. At least until they are scratched.

“I wish I could catch passes right now,” Torrence said recently following the defense’s 78-24 thrashing of the offense in the jersey scrimmage.

“I wish coach (Jim) Tressel would come to me and say we want to put you in the slot or something like that.”

As a standout at Canton South High School, Torrence was used to having the ball in his hands. Both a running back and receiver, Torrence scored 48 touchdowns and racked up more than 3,000 all-purpose yards during his prep career.

He also played safety in high school, and a big reason he chose the Buckeyes was their track record for sending defensive backs to the NFL, but Torrence was moved from corner to wideout as a true freshman in 2007 as the coaching staff looked for a way to get his athleticism on the field. He moved back to corner the following season after the Buckeyes added DeVier Posey, Lamaar Thomas and Jake Stoneburner in the class of 2008.

“Had I played receiver I’m sure I would have been in a good position there too eventually, but I’m here playing cornerback and I’m just thankful for the opportunity,” the 6-foot-1 Torrence said.

“Maybe someday Tress might give me a shot over there (on offense). I really want to get a shot at the return game so I can get the ball in my hands that way.”

Now in his final year at Ohio State, the chances that “someday” will come are starting to dwindle. The Buckeyes return their top two receivers from a year ago in Posey and Dane Sanzenbacher. They also have an intense battle between Taurian Washington and Chris Fields for the No. 3 receiver spot this spring and are expecting to have sophomore Duron Carter back in the fall.

Even if he never takes another snap at receiver, let alone catches a pass, during his time at OSU, Torrence believes he learned a lot about the corner position from his experience, albeit brief, on the other side of the ball.

“It definitely benefitted me a lot,” Torrence said of his year at wide receiver.

“I can normally tell what type of route the receiver is going to run before they run it just by the type of stems that they do and their body posture.”

Torrence used that knowledge to help beat out Andre Amos and Travis Howard from the open corner spot vacated by Malcolm Jenkins last fall. Although Howard fell behind, it was a neck-and-neck competition between Torrence and Amos that actually continued into the season before Torrence emerged as the eventual starter.

Things are much more comfortable for Torrence this spring as one of six returning starters on an Ohio State defense that finished 13th in the country in pass defense and 7th in rush defense during the 2009 season. 

“It’s easier to concentrate. You’re more relaxed because you have the spot pretty much wrapped up. I think last year, my mindset was that there was no question that I had to perform,” Torrence said.

“And I think as long as I’m relaxed out there this season from accomplishing being the starter, and as long as I get in my mindset that I have to perform and there’s no question about that, I think that’s going to make me a better player.”

While he might not be competing for a starting job this spring, Torrence is working hard to become a better player. He has set his sights on becoming not only one of the best corners in the Big Ten, but one of the most talked about defensive backs in the country.

“Main thing for me was just working on my feet; working on my footwork, especially in my man-press coverage,” said Torrence, who believes he needs to get his hands on more passes this year. 

 “This spring ball one of my goals was to understand the defense a lot better and become more football savvy. Just jump on more routes and be ‘batey.’ This is the perfect time to do that. Just knowing when I could do things, knowing when to be gutsy and go make plays.”

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