COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Canceling Ohio State’s game against Michigan today not only halted a 103-year tradition of rivalry, it also denied 17 scholarship players the chance to participate in Senior Day for their final game inside Ohio Stadium.
That’s a special moment that was stripped away from those who were playing their final collegiate home game. Then there’s the group of underclassmen who will decide after the season if they’ll return to Columbus.
Last season’s group of players with a choice included three players clearly departing: J.K. Dobbins, Jeff Okudah and Chase Young. While there were mixed views on what Wyatt Davis and Shaun Wade would do, our consensus correctly predicted that Baron Browning and Josh Myers would return. We incorrectly predicted that Thayer Munford would leave.
In 2018, six Ohio State underclassmen declared for the draft: Nick Bosa, Dwayne Haskins, Dre’Mont Jones, Michael Jordan, Mike Weber and Kendall Sheffield. Jordan was the only one that I predicted on Senior Day would stay.
in 2017, only three underclassmen went pro: Denzel Ward, Jerome Baker and Sam Hubbard. On Senior Day, our consensus had six Buckeyes leaving.
In 2016, six OSU underclassmen left: Marshon Lattimore, Gareon Conley, Malik Hooker, Curtis Samuel, Raekwon McMillan and Noah Brown. We called all of them on Senior Day except Brown.
In 2015, nine underclassmen declared, which was the moment when everyone knew how serious this could get as the Buckeyes started flooding the NFL draft with talent. That’s a number the Buckeyes could pass this season. Here are the candidates, with guesses from me, Nathan Baird and Doug Lemerises as to what might happen.
Justin Fields, quarterback
As a five-star quarterback recruit, it was always the expectation that Fields would be a three-and-done college player. It just wasn’t supposed to include a detour from Athens to Columbus. It’s been clear since the moment he arrived that this was a two-year stint filled with Heisman-caliber moments. He won’t get a chance to face Michigan in front of Buckeye fans, but at least he contributed to The Game’s many historic moments in 2019.
Doug: Leave
Nathan: Leave
Stephen: Leave
Shaun Wade, cornerback
Ohio State defensive back Shaun Wade celebrates his interception and touchdown against Indiana on Nov. 21.AP
Wade could’ve gone pro after last season, but came back to prove he was more than just a slot corner. The only cornerback rated higher in the 2017 recruiting class was his teammate Okudah, who was 2019′s No. 3 draft pick. He almost missed out on the 2020 campaign because of the Big Ten’s indecision. He’s had good moments and bad moments this fall. But no matter what, he wasn’t coming back to play football for free.
Doug: Leave
Nathan: Leave
Stephen: Leave
Wyatt Davis, right guard
Ohio State offensive lineman Wyatt Davis plays against Indiana during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020, in Columbus, Ohio.AP
Davis’s journey mirrors Wade, a player who came back when he didn’t have to, opted out, then opted back in. This was his last year, as he could be the first player taken at his position next spring. Whether that’s in the first round or not will depend on if a team desperately needs an interior offensive lineman.
Doug: Leave
Nathan: Leave
Stephen: Leave
Chris Olave, wide receiver
Ohio State receiver Chris Olave plays against Nebraska during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Columbus, Ohio. AP
This is where it gets interesting. The 2021 NFL Draft class will once again be deep on wide receivers, so the question is if Olave feels he’d solidified himself as a first-round pick. It’s probably safe to assume the answer is yes.
Doug: Leave
Nathan: Leave
Stephen: Leave
Josh Myers, center
Ohio State Buckeyes center Josh Myers dons the number 50 in honor of his grandfather before the start of their game against Indiana University, November 21, 2020, at Ohio Stadium in Columbus.John Kuntz, cleveland.com
Does Myers have anything left to prove as a center? He’s hasn’t been as good as he was in 2019, but hasn’t been bad enough to see his stock plummet. Centers aren’t guaranteed to be first-round draft picks anyway. Myers may have to weigh the pros and cons more than anyone on this list.
Doug: Stay
Nathan: Leave
Stephen: Leave
Jeremy Ruckert, tight end
Ohio State tight end Jeremy Ruckert (88) celebrates scoring a touchdown during the second half of the Big Ten championship NCAA college football game against Wisconsin, Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019, in Indianapolis.AP
The offensive personnel and scheme has allowed Ohio State to show off how they’ve developed Ruckert — the No. 2 tight end in the 2018 class — as a complete player. But he was never going to match the stats that he could’ve gotten in a program like Iowa. NFL scouts will know that when evaluating him. The pitch to come back would be to get those stats, especially if Olave leaves. Ruckert and Garrett Wilson will be the most experienced weapons for 2021′s starting QB. He’ll also be the only scholarship player in the tight end room with more than five career snaps at the position. The Buckeyes might need him to come back, and only taking one tight end in the 2021 recruiting class might be an indication that he’s planning to do so.
Doug: Stay
Nathan: Leave
Stephen: Stay
Nicholas Petit-Frere, right tackle
Nicholas Petit-Frere (78) celebrates after Ohio State's Big Ten Championship victory over Wisconsin last December. Getty Images
Petit-Frere is in the position that Davis occupied 12 months ago. A redshirt sophomore offensive lineman who was finally a starter in Year 3 as a former five-star recruit, he’s lived up to that rating as a first-year starter and will have the option to leave. Just like Davis, he’s not necessarily playing a position that guarantees him to be a first-rounder and could benefit for the fourth year.
Doug: Stay
Nathan: Stay
Stephen: Stay
Tommy Togiai, nose tackle
Tommy Togiai of the Ohio State Buckeyes warms up before the game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at SHI Stadium on November 16, 2019 in Piscataway, New Jersey.Getty Images
We spent the offseason trying to figure out which member of the highly-touted 2018 class would be the recipient of the Malik Hooker-Marshon Lattimore Award. Who would break out in Year 3 and be one of the best players in the country after two years of no more than a reserve role. Togiai won without contest, highlighted by his career night against Penn State with seven tackles, including three sacks, and two quarterback hurries. Now he’s showing up on NFL Draft boards.
Doug: Leave
Nathan: Leave
Stephen: Leave
Tyreke Smith, defensive end
Defensive end Tyreke Smith celebrates following the team's Big Ten title in 2019.AP
As a former top-50 defensive end recruit, Smith hasn’t dominated in the fashion of others with his pedigree. He’s popped up in some NFL Draft conversations, but he’s not guaranteed to come off the board in the first 100 picks. He’s finally healthy and starting to let his presence be felt the way many of his coaches and teammates expected, but five games might not be enough to leave early.
Doug: Stay
Nathan: Stay
Stephen: Stay
Master Teague, running back
Master Teague III runs up the field against Michigan State safety Tre Person (24) in the first quarter of the Dec. 5 victory over the Spartans. Mike Mulholland | MLive.com
He’s been serviceable as a first-year starter. His production is good enough to compliment a passing offense with a national championship ceiling. But there’s a lot more for him to show before heading to the next level.
Doug: Stay
Nathan: Stay
Stephen: Stay
The 17 scholarship seniors that were expected to play their final home game against Michigan
QB Gunnar Hoak, RB Demarion McCall, RB Trey Sermon, TE Luke Farrell, TE Jake Hausmann, OL Gavin Cupp, OL Thayer Munford, DE Jonathon Cooper, DT Haskell Garrett, DT Antwuan Jackson, LB Tuf Borland, LB Baron Browning, LB Justin Hilliard, LB Pete Werner, CB Marcus Williamson, K Blake Haubeil, P Drue Chrisman.
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Ohio State face masks for sale: Here’s where you can buy Ohio State-themed face coverings for coronavirus protection. A 3-pack is available on Fanatics for $29.99.
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