From picking off passes to earning high praise from Jim Leonhard, the former Ohio State standout is showcasing a "number one" mentality and bolstered depth in Buffalo.
The Buffalo Bills are already seeing encouraging signs from rookie cornerback Davison Igbinosun during organized team activities (OTAs).
The rookie defensive back has generated early buzz throughout Buffalo’s offseason program after recording an interception during practice while also earning praise for both his competitiveness and mentality from defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard.
Leonhard said he has followed Igbinosun dating back to college and praised the rookie’s approach to the game, describing his competitiveness as being “that of a number one” cornerback.
That mentality has apparently shown up immediately in Buffalo.
Igbinosun has already begun working closely with veteran players in the secondary, including Maxwell Hairston, as he adjusts to life in the NFL and learns Buffalo’s defensive system. Hairston, who dealt with injuries during his own rookie season, has become a resource for the young corner as he navigates the early stages of his career.
At the same time, the Bills are clearly expecting Igbinosun to compete.
Buffalo’s secondary depth became a major issue during last season’s playoff run when injuries forced reserve defensive backs into larger roles. The struggles in those situations made adding more cornerback depth a priority for the organization this offseason, and Igbinosun was brought in to help address that problem.
The former Ohio State Buckeye fits the mold of the type of defensive back Buffalo values under Leonhard’s new system.
Physical, aggressive, and highly competitive, Igbinosun built a reputation in college for embracing difficult matchups and consistently competing against elite receivers. During his time at Ohio State, he regularly faced top-level talent in practice, an experience that could help ease his transition to the NFL.
The interception during OTAs only added to the growing excitement surrounding the rookie.
Igbinosun said on Tuesday that he recognized the route combination quickly and jumped the throw. It's that type of instinctive play Buffalo wants to see from its young defensive backs.
While it's still early for the team, the initial reviews surrounding Igbinosun seem to be overwhelmingly positive. Between his competitiveness, athleticism, and willingness to learn, the rookie appears to be making a strong first impression on Buffalo’s coaching staff.
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