Unexpected returns could help Ohio State football — but not save it — in 2021: Buckeye Take – cleveland.com

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The conclusion of Ohio State football’s season always triggers a week or so of intense NFL Draft decision anticipation.

Shaun Wade became the first Buckeye to publicize his early entry decision Friday when he announced he will enter the 2021 draft pool. Josh Myers followed that night, as did Drue Chrisman. Undergraduate players have until Monday to submit their names for consideration for April’s draft, held in Cleveland.

Cleveland.com sources said many of those decisions remain up in the air, and it may be Monday before we know what some Buckeyes decide.

The coronavirus pandemic-altered 2020 season added a new wrinkle to the offseason. Regardless of number of games played, no players accrued NCAA eligibility during the season. So seniors, from an eligibility standpoint, essentially ended the season as juniors. (Or, if you prefer, retained a graduate year if they choose to use it.)

Some Buckeye seniors are at least considering this option. Haskell Garrett, who rose from relative unknown to fringe All-American, said last month he might come back. A source close to Thayer Munford said the three-year starting left tackle, who graded among the best tackles in the nation according to Pro Football Focus, also has not decided for sure that he will leave for NFL opportunities.

One can easily see where even a few of those decisions would help Ohio State’s chances — or at the very least raise the floor for 2021.

• What Myers’ NFL Draft decision means for 2021 Buckeyes

Imagine an offensive line where Munford and junior Nicholas Petit-Frere decide to come back. Harry Miller shifts to center and Matthew Jones and Paris Johnson Jr. take over the vacated guard spots. One of the nation’s best offensive lines remains mostly intact.

Imagine a defensive line where Garrett and junior Tommy Togiai both opt to return. Both vastly enhanced their NFL Draft stock with breakthrough seasons. Maybe both see the benefit of returning for another full season of production.

Imagine the boost to the offense if Luke Farrell decided to replay his senior season, and Jeremy Ruckert decided to stick around for his. Without those veteran tight ends, the Buckeyes are looking at a largely unproven group of candidates at an often-overlooked position.

Problem is, you also have to imagine the following. Imagine none of the senior linebackers come back, leaving the Buckeyes to rely on only first-time starters across the board.

You don’t need to imagine what happens in the secondary. The reality is the Buckeyes need a makeover on the back end of the defense. Sevyn Banks and Josh Proctor provide some stability, but no one emerged as a consistent playmaker.

• What Wade’s NFL decision means for 2021 Buckeyes

Ohio State’s defensive ends will mostly return, assuming Jonathon Cooper moves on. They still must take the step the Buckeyes expected them to take in 2020. The pass rush and the secondary performance are inextricably linked, and the former is crucial to helping the latter.

Chris Olave’s name keeps showing up in first-round draft projections. We know Ohio State has talented prospects to plug in around Garrett Wilson. None have had the opportunity to prove themselves, yet.

Ohio State may receive some unexpected good news between now and Monday, or between now and May. At some positions, however, the questions have no easy answers.

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