Tracking 2022 NFL draft decisions from Ohio State football underclassmen
The deadline to declare for the NFL draft is less than two weeks away.
Eligible underclassmen have until Jan. 17 to file paperwork to enter next spring's draft, which is being held in Las Vegas.
Ohio State has already been impacted by draft decisions with left tackle Nicholas Petit-Frere and wide receiver Garrett Wilson, both juniors in their eligibility, opting out of the Rose Bowl to turn pro.
More early entrants could follow them this month.
The Dispatch is tracking which Buckeyes are forgoing their remaining eligibility to enter the draft and those who are remaining in school.
What Buckeyes are going to the NFL?
LT Nicholas Petit-Frere
Since he graduated with a marketing degree at the end of the fall semester, Petit-Frere took part in Senior Day festivities during the Buckeyes' final home game against Michigan on Nov. 20, an early sign he was mulling a declaration.
RB Master Teague III
Despite finishing with his fewest rushing yards since redshirting as a freshman in 2018, a combination of injuries and slipping on the depth chart behind TreVeyon Henderson and Miyan Williams, Teague opted against returning for a redshirt senior season.
WR Garrett Wilson
The decision by Wilson to leave came as little surprise. A dynamic playmaking threat in the passing game, he's projected as a first-round pick and had the highest stock of anyone on Ohio State's roster.
What Buckeyes are staying at OSU?
CB Cameron Brown
Though he was one of the three juniors in eligibility to go through Senior Day, Brown announced last month that he'd be back with the Buckeyes for a fifth-year senior season in 2022, returning some starting experience in the secondary.
S Ronnie Hickman
Hickman, who debuted as a starter at the "bullet" position for Ohio State's defense, a hybrid safety-linebacker spot, finished as the Buckeyes' leading tackler. He said before the Rose Bowl he'd be back for his redshirt junior season.
DE Zach Harrison
A former five-star recruit from Lewis Center, Harrison talked last month about becoming more consistent and a dominant player. He had only three sacks this season.
RT Dawand Jones
Jones made his debut as a starter this past fall. His development in the offseason prompted the Buckeyes’ staff to reconfigure their line to make an opening for the junior, moving Petit-Frere from right tackle to left tackle and Thayer Munford from left tackle to left guard.
DT Taron Vincent
Vincent started six of 13 games at defensive tackle in his biggest role since joining the Buckeyes as a five-star recruit in 2018. Listed at 6-foot-2 and 305 pounds this past season, he has good size for the NFL, but could return for his redshirt senior season.
K Noah Ruggles
A graduate transfer from North Carolina who was nearly perfect on field goals and extra points, he can use the extra year of eligibility given to all players as a result of the coronavirus pandemic and return as a super senior.
Joey Kaufman covers Ohio State football for The Columbus Dispatch. Contact him at jkaufman@dispatch.com or on Twitter @joeyrkaufman.
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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio State football NFL draft declarations tracker
