As expected, Ohio State has officially lost one of the most talented linebackers in the country to the pros.
Late Saturday night, OSU confirmed via a press release that Ryan Shazier has decided to forego his remaining collegiate eligibility and enter the 2014 NFL draft.
“Playing in the NFL is something that I have been dreaming about since my days in pee-wee football,” said Shazier in a statement. I just feel that now is the perfect time for me. ...
“I feel like my three years at Ohio State were about great relationships with coaches, my teammates and Buckeye Nation,” Shazier said. “Playing here was an amazing experience.”
Following a season in which he totaled 22.5 tackles for loss (third in the nation), Shazier was named an Associated Press first-team All-American and first-team All-Big Ten by both the media and the coaches. He’s started 29 games for the Buckeyes during his time in Columbus.
There’s still no official word on Shazier’s teammate, starting quarterback Braxton Miller, although he’s expected to return to the Buckeyes for his senior season.