OSU brings Coombs back as D-coordinator

Kerry Coombs is returning to the Ohio State coaching staff, this time as defensive coordinator.

Coombs spent 20122017 on the Ohio State staff as cornerbacks coach and has spent the past two seasons in the NFL as cornerbacks coach for the Titans.

Coombs moves into the slot vacated by Jeff Hafley, who was hired as head coach at Boston College.

Coombs’ former tenure as a Buckeyes assistant produced five first-round draft choices from his units, including Bradley Roby, Eli Apple, Marshon Lattimore, Gareon Conley and Denzel Ward. Every starting Ohio State cornerback in Coombs’ six-year tenure reached the NFL.

NFL

TUA, CHASE YOUNG HEADLINE EARLY ENTRIES >> Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, Ohio State defensive end Chase Young and Wisconsin running back Jonathan Taylor were among 99 juniors granted eligibility by the NFL into the draft.

The NFL on Jan. 21 released the official list of 120 players who gave up college eligibility to enter the draft. Most, such as Tagovailoa, Young and Taylor, previously made their intentions public.

Players less than four years removed from high school who have not completed a degree need to be granted special entry to the draft by the NFL.

Among the 120 are 16 players with college eligibility remaining who notified the NFL they had completed degree requirements and were therefore eligible to be selected in the April 2325 draft to be held in Las Vegas.

MLB

BRAVES SIGN OF OZUNA >> The Braves found their new cleanup hitter when then reached an agreement with free agent outfielder Marcell Ozuna on an $18 million, one-year deal.

Ozuna joins the team he helped beat in the playoffs last October. He hit .429 with two home runs for the St. Louis Cardinals in their five-game win over the Braves in the NL Division Series.