COLUMBUS, Ohio – The stars of the state of Ohio leave early for the NFL every winter, but the biggest news this time may be about who decided to stay.
After the announcements expected by quarterback Justin Fields, cornerback Shaun Wade and other early leaks leaked by social media after the loss to Alabama in the national championship game CFP, the Buckeyes had a great “stay” in Chris Olave, the main recipient of the last season who, as a junior, was eligible for the draft.
In making the announcement via Twitter this week, Olave said, “There are so many great memories, but we are not done yet.”
In addition to Olave, starting striker Thayer Munford and defensive striker Haskell Garrett said they would also be back, both taking advantage of an extra year of eligibility given to all players by the NCAA because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Tense side Jeremy Ruckert and defensive side Tyreke Smith also decided to go back to their senior seasons, instead of entering the draft. Defensive tackle Antwuan Jackson and slot cornerback Marcus Williamson said they would also enjoy the extra year of eligibility.
The elderly have until March 1 to declare whether they wish to stay another year.
“I think it’s unbelievable,” said Day on Friday. “For those guys who decided to come back, what a great opportunity for them. It just shows maturity. They still have outstanding business here in Ohio, they want to maximize themselves as players here in college, but also in the NFL.
“And I think what many of them understood is that it is one thing to be able to play in the NFL, another thing to be ready when you get there,” he said. “There are so many people who just want to run to the NFL and start making money, and that’s great. But at the end of the day, you have to act and produce.”
Garrett was a veteran who emerged as a team leader and played well, despite being shot in the face when trying to stop a street fight in August. He and Smith give the Ohio State defensive line some strong anchors for 2021, especially with defensive tackle Tommy Togiai opting for the NFL.
“2020 was a crazy year,” said Garrett when making his announcement via Instagram video. “Not only did I go through trials and tribulations, but also for our team.”
Olave’s return is a seismic boost for the Buckeyes, who will be entering a new quarterback for the first time since the 2018 season. Olave will again join Garrett Wilson to form one of the most dynamic reception doubles in college football. During the shortened pandemic season of 2020, Olave had 50 receptions for 729 yards and seven touchdowns, with Wilson right behind him with 43 for 723 yards and six TDs.
Munford’s return, along with Nicholas Petit-Frere, will give the offensive line two returnees, supported by other players who had significant playing time in 2020. Ohio State loses pivot Josh Myers and All-American point guard Wyatt Davis , two forts who opted for the NFL. They leave significant holes to fill.
Running back Trey Sermon, who had three tremendous games before being injured at the start of the 52-24 loss to Alabama, was transferred to a graduate and announced that he will enter the NFL draft. But Master Teague III, who started the season as a starting runner, will return as a fourth-year junior.
Most of the pre-season’s attention will be on defenders, with trials starting in the spring, if the pandemic allows. The competition will involve robust professional quarterbacks CJ Stroud and Jack Miller III, two of the nation’s biggest signal callers that the state of Ohio has attracted in the 2020 recruiting class. The five-star recruit for 2021, Kyle McCord, is expected to be similar in size and skills to others, also apply for employment immediately as one of the first applicants.
As the 2020 season was shortened and there was not much cleaning work, neither Stroud nor Miller had much game time. Day didn’t even get a good look at them because the practice of spring 2020 lasted just a week before it had to be abandoned as the pandemic worsened.
“I wish I was farther away,” said Day. “I wish they had gotten more game reps. You really don’t know what’s in a quarterback until they’re playing a game. We’ll have to find ways this spring between CJ, Jack and Kyle to give to find out exactly what we have. “