COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The Ohio State football player whose name is a number cannot wear that number below his name.

Sevyn Banks wore No. 7 at Jones High School in Orlando, Florida. Buckeyes linebacker Teradja Mitchell beat him to it in college by committing first, however, so Banks wore No. 15 as a freshman and No. 12 this season.

“We’ve got a little deal working out,” Banks said.

While Banks negotiates his number’s worth, his role has grown in value in recent weeks. He made his first career start last Saturday at Rutgers in place of senior Damon Arnette. He may move back to a reserve role as early as Saturday against Penn State, but confidence is growing inside the program that Banks’ time will soon arrive.

“I think Sevyn Banks is the next great corner at Ohio State,” said junior cornerback Jeff Okudah, who once held that title by conventional wisdom and has since fulfilled it. “He’s really taken a tremendous leap from spring to fall camp to even now. He’s taken big strides and coach (Jeff) Hafley has commended him for it.”

Banks’ name created buzz late last season. He returned a blocked punt for a touchdown in 2018′s regular season finale against Michigan.

The block heard 'round The League!@OhioStateFB has opened the floodgates, and it started with this play: pic.twitter.com/ZpJYpQEYic — Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) November 24, 2018

When Buckeye players talked about which young teammates stood out during practice leading up to the Rose Bowl, Banks’ name came up repeatedly. Looking back, he sensed a change around the same time.

“I was probably just starting to grasp around bowl season what I have to do to get on the field, and technique-wise was coming in and doing what I have to do to make a play,” Banks said. “When I first came in, I didn’t know, and now it’s comfortable for me.”

Yet while Banks possessed skills and intangibles necessary for a breakthrough, he lacked the other crucial ingredient — opportunity.

Okudah and Arnett entered the season locked in as the outside cornerbacks. Shaun Wade holds a similarly tight grip at slot cornerback. That first unit remained mostly healthy and unquestionably productive throughout the season.

Earlier this season, Cameron Brown was the first reserve cornerback off the bench when Okudah or Arnette needed a rest. Banks stayed in the picture on special teams and in mop-up work. He picked off his first career interception against Northwestern.

More importantly, in co-defensive coordinator Hafley’s eyes, Banks performed away from game day. Hafley, who also coaches the secondary, pointed to Banks’ commitment to “the little things that make the big things possible” — finishing plays and executing.

"I just thought he took a big step and I thought he earned it," Hafley said when asked why Banks started against Rutgers. "With me it's always been and always will be, if you earn it every single day in practice then I'm going to get you in the game, and he did that. He's had huge growth and a huge job he's done in practice."

Banks rotated with Brown against Rutgers, posting one tackle for loss and breaking up a pass. Presumably the competition between them for that fourth cornerback spot will continue until the end of the season.

That competition, while important in a support capacity for 2019, could help Ohio State more next season.

Outgoing senior Arnette and potential first-round NFL draft pick Okudah will create two job openings. Wade could also draw professional overtures. The best-case scenario for Ohio State has him returning and shifting outside.

Perhaps Banks and Brown would continue to rotate next season in a shared starting spot, such as the Buckeyes do with Mike linebackers Tuf Borland and Baron Browning. Perhaps a door opens to both of them holding down starting jobs together.

Banks admits that possibility of a starting job next season keeps him eager to improve. He also knows he may only have a handful of weeks left to observe and learn from Okudah and Arnette.

“Seeing them do it before I go on the field is what I need, honestly,” Banks said. “To see them do it just makes me want to better."

Banks may never wear his namesake number at Ohio State. He is on the verge of making a name for himself, however, and a lucky number has nothing to do with it.

Get Buckeyes Insider texts in your phone from Doug Lesmerises: Cut through the clutter of social media and communicate directly with the award-winning OSU football reporter, just like you would with your friends. It’s just $3.99 a month, which works out to about 13 cents a day. Learn more and sign up here.

More OSU coverage

Ohio State-Penn State offers equal talent, and these Nittany Lions could have been Buckeyes

Is Ohio State football’s matchup against Penn State going to be a close game?

How big is the Ohio State-Penn State talent gap? Buckeye Talk Podcast

Ohio State’s Chase Young a finalist for Bronko Nagurski Trophy

Penn State QB Sean Clifford isn’t using being snubbed by Ohio State as motivation

OSU’s new offensive line recruiting philosophy -- Can you have too many centers?

Ohio State vs. Penn State athletics and academics by the numbers

Why is this OSU-PSU game different than 2017 and 2018?

Ohio State rolled over other top run defenses. Can Penn State stop the Buckeyes?

Why Ohio State’s Shaun Wade has not forgotten KJ Hamler’s breakout moment

Ohio State’s Justin Fields ranks as Pro Football Focus’ No. 2 college quarterback