COLUMBUS, Ohio — When Ohio State coach Jim Tressel announced last December that 13 Buckeyes were considering jumping into the NFL draft a year early, it sent shock waves through the team’s fan base.
Within a month, only one of those – defensive lineman Vern Gholston – had actually taken that step. That left a lot of players looking ahead to their final year of college instead of back on what their lives could have been.
Linebacker Marcus Freeman remembers when the full impact of his decision to stay really hit him.
"Those times when you’re looking at your bank (account) and you ain’t got much money," he said, laughing.
The returnees include many of the best players for the second-ranked Buckeyes, who open their season Saturday against Youngstown State.
When reaching their decision, they had to evaluate the risk of injury, their financial situation, what their best friends were doing and how good the returning team would be. They labored over the pros and cons with family members, girlfriends, teammates and coaches.
Once they told the NFL that they were no longer contemplating making themselves available for the NFL draft, there was no turning back.
"Of course, you think, ‘Wow. I could’ve had a lot of money!"’ said cornerback Malcolm Jenkins. "But at the same time I don’t regret it at all because that time will still come. I’ll still be able to do what I want to do as far as the financial end goes. I’m just having the time of my life right now. Every time I think of something I could be doing right now in the NFL, I think of the enjoyable time I’m having here."
The opportunity to play for – OK, to win – a national championship was also paramount in their thinking. After losing in Bowl Championship Series title games each of the past two years, it was a major leap of faith to elect to return in hopes of finally getting a national championship ring.
"With all of the relationships I’ve had, (and being selected) captain, I guess losing two national championship games, that kind of motivates you a little bit also," said quarterback Todd Boeckman.
Through the long, hot summer workouts, and through preseason practices during the dog days of August, it was difficult but not impossible to shut out thoughts about how different their lives could have been.
"I get asked that a lot by friends: ‘Do you ever regret your decision?"’ linebacker James Laurinaitis said. "I haven’t looked at that once. It’s something I knew basically going into the (national title) game where my heart was. I knew my heart was here. The only reason it took a while to kind of announce it is I wanted to be sure that I covered all my bases."
For offensive lineman Alex Boone, his decision revolved almost solely on how much fun he was having in college.
"It’s more just kind of like, what fits you best," he said. "Going to the (NFL) league is not what I wanted. I wasn’t ready to be an adult and I don’t think I’ll ever be ready to be an adult.
"Besides, what would this place do without me? It would probably be so serious."
There are some vivid examples of players in a variety of sports who have stuck around for another year of college but have had their dreams shattered by an injury.
Freeman said an athlete cannot allow himself to worry about injuries, or else that fear will be overwhelming.
"When you make that decision to come back, you know there’s always a chance that you can get hurt," he said. "You have to realize that if it’s meant to be, it’s meant to be. You can’t play being cautious, thinking, ‘Man, if I get hurt I’m going to lose money, I’m going to lose my draft status.’ You’ve got to go out there and give it your all."
Once so many of his players came to the conclusion to return, Tressel needed to make a decision of his own.
"Hey, there’s a bunch of guys that could have gone on and they really enjoy their time here, they’re excited about being here another year, so we’ve got to make sure they get our best," he said. "It was a great reminder to us as a staff that they’ve risked a little bit, if you will, and we’ve got to make sure that we do everything we can do to make their risk pays off."
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