COLUMBUS, Ohio – The end of the soccer season in the Ohio State soccer tournament always causes a week of intense NFL draft decisions.
Shaun Wade became the first Buckeye to announce his decision on early entry on Friday when he announced he would enter the 2021 draft pool. Josh Myers followed the evening. Undergraduate players have until Monday to submit their names for consideration for April’s draft to be held in Cleveland.
According to sources from Cleveland.com, many of the decisions remain in the air, and it could take Monday before we know what some Buckeyes are deciding.
The coronavirus pandemic 2020 season has added a new wrinkle to the off-season. Regardless of the number of games played, no players earned NCAA qualifications during the season. Elderly, therefore, ended the season as juniors from a fitness point of view. (Or, if you prefer, retain a year if they prefer to use it.)
Some Buckeye seniors at least consider it. Haskell Garrett, who has risen from relatively unknown to fringe All-American, said last month he might return. A source close to Thayer Munford said the three-year-old started tackling left-wingers, who ranked among the best packages in the country according to Pro Football Focus, also did not decide for sure that he would leave for the NFL events.
One can easily see where even some of the decisions would help the chances of the state of Ohio – or at least increase the word for 2021.
• What Josh Myers’ NFL draft decision on football in Ohio State means: Buckeyes 2021
Imagine an offensive line where Munford and junior Nicholas Petit-Frere decide to come back. Harry Miller moves to center and Matthew Jones and Paris Johnson Jr. take over the evacuated waiting places. One of the country’s best offensive lines remains mostly intact.
Imagine a defensive line where Garrett and junior Tommy Togiai both prefer to return. Both have significantly improved their NFL draft inventory with breakthrough seasons. Maybe both see the benefit of returning for another full production season.
Imagine that the offense would give a boost if Luke Farrell decided to play his senior season again, and Jeremy Ruckert decided to keep it. Without the veteran endings, the Buckeyes are looking at a largely unproven group of candidates in a position that is often overlooked.
Problem is, you have to suggest the following as well. Imagine that none of the senior linebackers come back, so the Buckeyes can only trust stalwarts for the first time.
You do not have to imagine what happens in the secondary. The reality is that the Buckeyes need a change at the back of the defense. Sevyn Banks and Josh Proctor offer some stability, but no one has emerged as a constant playmaker.
• What does Shaun Wade’s NFL draft decision for Ohio State football mean: Buckeyes 2021
The defending ends of the state of Ohio will mostly return if Jonathon Cooper moves on. They still have to take the step that the Buckeyes expected of them in 2020. The rush and the secondary performance are inextricably linked, and the former is crucial to help the latter.
Chris Olave’s name still appears in draft projections in the first round. We know the state of Ohio has talented prospects to get behind him around Garrett Wilson. None of them have yet had the opportunity to prove themselves.
The state of Ohio may receive unexpectedly good news between now and Monday, or between now and May. In some positions, however, the questions have no easy answers.
Get Champion Champions and CFP Equipment in Ohio: Look for shirts, hats and more merchandise to commemorate the Sugar Bowl victory over Ohio in Clemson, as well as equipment for the Buckeyes advancing to the College Football Playoff National Championship.
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