Ohio State sophomore cornerback Marshon Lattimore took to social media on Wednesday to announce his decision to enter the NFL draft.
Lattimore, who played his first healthy season as a full-time starter in 2016, is joining fellow Ohio State defensive backs Malik Hooker and Gareon Conley in forgoing their eligibility and turning to the professional ranks.
Lattimore is projected as a first-round pick and the fourth cornerback off the board by NFLDraftScout.com.
"Being a kid from the inner city motivated me to become the best player I could be," Lattimore posted on Twitter. "It also helped me deal with the adversity and challenges I've dealt with during my time at Ohio State because I've been going through rough times all of my life. ... I have a chance to compete at the highest level, and in the midst, change my family's lives as well as mine also.
"With that being said, I've decided to enter the 2017 NFL draft."
Lattimore was selected first-team All-Big Ten after collecting four interceptions and 13 passes defended last season with the Buckeyes (11-2).
