COLUMBUS, Ohio – The conclusion of the Ohio State football season always triggers a week or more of intense anticipation of NFL draft decisions.
Shaun Wade became the first Buckeye to disclose his early admission decision on Friday, when he announced that he will enter the 2021 draft. Josh Myers followed him that night. College players have until Monday to submit their names for consideration in the April draft held in Cleveland.
Cleveland.com sources said many of those decisions remain in the air, and it may be Monday before we know what some Buckeyes decide.
The 2020 season altered by the coronavirus pandemic added a new wrinkle to the off-season. Regardless of the number of games played, no player has accumulated qualification for the NCAA during the season. Therefore, the elderly, from the standpoint of eligibility, basically ended the season as juniors. (Or, if you prefer, you kept a year of graduate school, if you choose to use it.)
Some Buckeye seniors are at least considering this option. Haskell Garrett, who went from being relatively unknown to being a marginal American, said last month he could return. A source close to Thayer Munford said the initial three-year left tackle, which ranked among the country’s best tackles according to Pro Football Focus, nor has he decided with certainty whether he will go for opportunities in the NFL.
You can easily see where even some of these decisions would help Ohio State’s chances – or at least raise the floor to 2021.
• What Josh Myers’ NFL draft decision means for Ohio state football: Buckeyes 2021
Imagine an offensive line where Munford and junior Nicholas Petit-Frere decide to return. Harry Miller moves to the center and Matthew Jones and Paris Johnson Jr. take over the guard positions. One of the country’s best offensive lines remains largely intact.
Imagine a defensive line where Garrett and junior Tommy Togiai choose to return. Both have vastly improved their NFL Draft inventory with innovative seasons. Perhaps both will see the benefit of returning for another full season of production.
Imagine the momentum for the attack if Luke Farrell decided to repeat his senior season and Jeremy Ruckert decided to stick around. Without those tight veteran tips, Buckeyes are looking at a largely unproven group of candidates in an often overlooked position.
The problem is that you must also imagine the following. Imagine that none of the senior linebackers come back, leaving the Buckeyes to rely only on the starting staters across the board.
You don’t have to imagine what happens in secondary school. The reality is that the Buckeyes need reform at the rear of the defense. Sevyn Banks and Josh Proctor provide some stability, but no one has emerged as a consistent ace.
• What Shaun Wade’s NFL draft decision means for Ohio state football: Buckeyes 2021
The defensive ends of the State of Ohio will mainly return, assuming that Jonathon Cooper moves on. They still need to take the step that the Buckeyes expected them to take in 2020. The rush pass and secondary performance are inextricably linked, and the former is crucial in helping the latter.
Chris Olave’s name continues to appear in the projections of the first round. We know that the state of Ohio has talented prospects to support him around Garrett Wilson. None of them has had a chance to prove themselves, yet.
The state of Ohio may receive some unexpected good news until Monday, or between now and May. In some positions, however, the questions do not have easy answers.
Obtain the Ohio State Sugar Bowl champions and CFP equipment: Check out the shirts, hats and more merchandise that celebrate Ohio State’s Sugar Bowl victory over Clemson, as well as the Buckeyes gear that advance into the College Football Playoff national championship game.
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