*Michael Jordan – Noteworthy
Ohio State will lose experience and leadership on the offensive line with center Michael Jordan’s decision to leave early for the NFL draft. The 6-foot-7, 312-pound lineman announced he would forgo his senior season in a tweet on Friday, saying that “in my heart, I know I am ready for the NFL, largely because I have been coached by the very best.” After starting as a true freshman and playing two years at left guard, Jordan moved to center last season to replace All-American Billy Price. Jordan’s announcement comes after linebacker Malik Harrison and safety Jordan Fuller, both draft-eligible NFL prospects, said they were staying at Ohio State. Running back Mike Webster and defensive tackle Dre’Mont Jones have announced their early departures. – AP College Football
Justin Fields – Noteworthy
Quarterback Justin Fields confirmed Friday night he is transferring to Ohio State following one season as Georgia’s backup. Fields’ much-anticipated announcement gives new Ohio State coach Ryan Day a sublimely talented dual-threat passer to run his offense if Dwayne Haskins Jr. makes an expected jump to the NFL. Fields decided to transfer from Georgia after he was unable to beat out starter Jake Fromm. Fields announced the transfer after he was expected to visit the Ohio State campus earlier Friday. Fields issued a statement on his Twitter account in which he said his one season at Georgia “has given me the opportunity to refine my skills under great coaches and to play with incredibly talented teammates who’ve become like brothers to me.” Fields’ arrival at Ohio State is huge for Day, who took over as coach Wednesday after Urban Meyer’s retirement. Fields was the overall No. 2 national prospect in the 2018 recruiting class and was highly sought after he announced his intention to transfer last month. Fields helped give Georgia coach Kirby Smart the nation’s top-rated signing class last year. The Kennesaw, Georgia-native deepens Ohio State at quarterback and sets up an intriguing competition with Tate Martell. – AP College Football
*Dwayne Haskins Jr. – Noteworthy
Ohio State quarterback Dwayne Haskins has officially declared for the NFL Draft making his announcement via Twitter. Haskins is the fifth player – along with Nick Bosa, Dre’Mont Jones, Mike Weber and Michael Jordan- to declare for the NFL Draft. Haskins put together a historic season in his first year as a starter throwing for 4831 yards and 50 touchdowns – both Big Ten records – in route to a third-place finish for the Heisman Trophy and leading Ohio State to a Big Ten Championship and Rose Bowl victory. Haskins is considered to be a first-round pick and with Oregon’s Justin Herbert electing to return to school for another year, he could potentially be the first quarterback taken. – Stephen Means, Cleveland.com
*Dwayne Haskins Jr. – Noteworthy
Record-setting Ohio State quarterback Dwayne Haskins Jr. says he is leaving school to enter the NFL draft. The third-year sophomore announced Monday on Twitter that he will depart the program after one year as a starter in which he broke most school and Big Ten single-season passing records. He also finished third in Heisman Trophy voting. Haskins is projected to be a first-round draft pick. His decision comes after he completed 25 of 37 passes for 251 yards and three touchdowns in the Rose Bowl, which also was the last game for retiring coach Urban Meyer. The announcement Friday that Georgia quarterback Justin Fields would transfer to Ohio State divulged Haskins’ decision. Haskins said he and Fields talked before Fields made the decision to come to Ohio State with a chance to be the starter next season. – AP College Football
Tate Martell – Noteworthy
Ohio State quarterback Tate Martell may be looking to transfer. Martell has entered his name into the NCAA transfer portal, according to a person with access to the portal. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Wednesday because the database isn’t public. Martell listing his name with the NCAA means schools are now free to talk to him about a potential transfer. Martell, who will be a third-year sophomore, sat behind record-smashing quarterback Dwayne Haskins Jr. last season. He seemed to be the heir apparent when Haskins left early for the NFL draft. But then Ohio State lured Georgia transfer Justin Fields to compete for the starting spot. Fields was the No. 1 national recruit in the 2018 class. – AP College Football