Josh

Proctor

After four seasons of rotational snaps and nearly an entire season lost to injury, Proctor (6’1/199) wouldn’t earn a starting role until 2023. The Owasso HS product had 47 total tackles and 5 pass breakups in his final campaign with the Buckeyes, underwhelming production from a 25 year old draft prospect. He plays instinctively as a slot defender, looking to jump routes underneath and make plays on the ball. Although he has solid short area speed, he finds himself getting stacked by receivers downfield and is best when allowed to play close to the line of scrimmage. Due to his athletic limitations, he does not project as someone who can consistently line up against NFL tight ends and slot receivers. While he has limitations in coverage, earning only a 67.4 PFF grade, he does his job in stopping the run. His 4.0 TFL during the 2023 season shows that the sixth year safety is willing and able to sift through traffic. He fills lanes well from the secondary and generally tackles well, earning a 73 PFF grade in that department. His upside is virtually non-existent due to his advanced age and underwhelming athleticism, but special teams experience and the ability to play close to the line of scrimmage make him worth a roster spot.

Proctor (6'2/195) was carted off the field with an air cast on midway through the third quarter on Saturday against Oregon and head coach Ryan Day confirmed that he was out for the season. Day also said that Proctor had already undergone surgery for the injury. This leaves a big hole in a Buckeyes defense that was already struggling. He will be replaced in the starting lineup by redshirt junior Marcus Hooker.

Proctor (6'2/195) went down a little less than halfway through the third quarter, and the injury was severe enough that Ohio State’s medical staff took him to the locker room immediately. The redshirt junior was considered to be a game-time decision for Saturday’s showdown due to a shoulder injury, so he was already banged up. Proctor is not expected to return Saturday afternoon.

Already down one of its top pass-catchers in WR Chris Olave, Ohio State could also be left to play the Big Ten Championship Game without a starting safety. Hooker (5'11/200), who has started each of the Buckeyes’ five games, has accounted for 15 total tackles (13 solo), two passes defensed, one interception and one fumble recovery this season. The good news for Ohio State is that fellow safety Josh Proctor, who was held out of the December 5 win over Michigan State due to an undisclosed injury, is not listed on this week’s injury report.

Back in June, Proctor floated taking his share of official visits this autumn. He may still do that (Oklahoma is a program of interest), but showed little verve when it came to that possibility while he was on the Buckeyes’ campus over the weekend. We’ll see if he is more open to officials when he isn’t being asked about it while surrounded by fellow OSU commits. Proctor (6'1/190) ranks as Rivals’ No. 131 overall prospect for the 2018 cycle.