NFL Network started its countdown of the NFL’s top 100 players on Sunday evening, and former Ohio State and current New Orleans Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore was tabbed by his peers as the league’s 76th-best player.
The @Saints CB is back on the #NFLTop100!@shonrp2 comes in at 76. pic.twitter.com/dFfknRxDHX
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) July 27, 2020
A former four-star prospect from Cleveland Glenville, Lattimore dealt with severe hamstring injuries early in his college career that limited him to just seven games during his first two seasons with the Buckeyes. He played in all 13 games during his redshirt sophomore season in 2016, though, and was named first-team All-Big Ten after he finished the year with 14 pass break ups and four interceptions to lead Ohio State to a conference title and an appearance in the College Football Playoff.
Taken by the New Orleans Saints with the 11th overall pick, Lattimore was one of three Ohio State defensive backs selected in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft, joining safety Malik Hooker (No. 15 to the Indianapolis Colts) and cornerback Gareon Conley (No. 24 to the then-Oakland Raiders). He recorded 52 total tackles, 18 pass break ups and five interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown, to be named the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year and was voted to the Pro Bowl that season.
Though he’s only picked off three passes over the last two seasons, Lattimore is still viewed as one of the top cornerbacks in the league. In fact, he’s one of just two players – joining Baltimore Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey – to record 40-plus pass break ups with three or more interceptions, forced fumbles and fumble recoveries during the last three years combined.
Lattimore’s career totals to date include 168 tackles, 44 pass break ups, eight interceptions, five forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries and one defensive score in 43 games. He’s been named to the Pro Bowl twice (2018 and 2020), though he did not play in the latter due to a wrist injury.
Former Ohio State and current Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Cam Heyward checked in on Sunday evening at No. 84 on NFL Network’s Top 100, meanwhile.
The list, which is being unveiled in reverse order this week, should also include former Buckeyes like Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott, Los Angeles Chargers defensive end Joey Bosa, San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa and Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas, who was recently named one of five players with a 99 overall rating in Madden NFL 21.
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