1 of 2 | Ohio State Buckeyes WR Michael Thomas kisses the Fiesta Bowl Trophy after Ohio State defeated Notre Dame 44-28 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale Arizona, January 1, 2016. Photo by Art Foxall/UPI |
License Photo
The mass exodus of talent at Ohio State continued Tuesday when wide receiver Michael Thomas and safety Vonn Bell became the eighth and ninth Buckeyes player to declare for early entry into the 2016 NFL Draft.
The 6-foot-3, 212-pound Thomas is a reshirt junior who led the team in receptions with 56 for 781 yards and touchdown catches with nine last season. During the 2014 season when Ohio State won the College Football Playoff national championship, Thomas caught 54 passes for 799 yards and nine touchdowns.
Thomas, the nephew of former NFL wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson, is listed as the No. 3 wide receiver prospect for 2016 by NFLDraftScout.com and No. 33 overall.
"We have accomplished so much here and now I want to accomplish more at the next level," Thomas told ESPN. "I plan to bring hunger to succeed, route-running, hands and ability to attack the ball to the next level.
"I am 100 percent happy with my college choice and now me and many of my teammates are leaving and I hope to see them all in the NFL."
Bell was named an All-American in 2014 after he had 91 tackles and six interceptions. He finished the 2015 season with 65 tackles and two interceptions. The junior is listed as the No. 2 strong safety and the No. 50 overall prospect by NFLDraftScout.com.
"I have decided to make myself eligible and enter the 2016 NFL Draft," Bell said in a statement. "It has been an honor and a privilege to play at the best university in the country, to play for the best coach in the country and to help bring the 2014 national championship to The Ohio State University and the best fans in the country.
"My time here has been very special to me and my family. And I thank all Buckeye fans for their love and support."
Since Ohio State's Fiesta Bowl victory over Notre Dame on Jan. 1, defensive end Joey Bosa, running back Ezekiel Elliott, backup quarterback Cardale Jones, linebacker Darron Lee, safety Tyvis Powell, cornerback Eli Apple, wide receiver Jalin Marshall, Thomas and Bell have declared their intentions to enter the draft.
Coach Urban Meyer said the losses are a byproduct of recruiting elite talent.
"This the the way it is," he said. "I'd rather be in this situation than have a bunch of not-very-good players."
