Updated: November 20, 2013, 8:13 PM ET By Austin Ward | ESPN.com COLUMBUS, Ohio — Bradley Roby has made his intentions to declare for the NFL draft after this season well known for a while, and the Ohio State cornerback has the blessing of his coach and permission to participate in the senior activities ahead of his last home game. Buckeyes coach Urban Meyer confirmed that his star cornerback will be forgoing his final year of eligibility after his redshirt junior campaign is over and said he has no problems with either Roby’s decision or honoring him before Saturday’s game against Indiana. “He’s cleared,” Meyer said after practice Wednesday. “We talked, and he’s going to go, going to move on. But that’s all you ask — you don’t ask for five years nowadays. “It’s no secret. I think it’s great for him and good for Ohio State.” Roby flirted with leaving the Buckeyes after a banner 2012 season in which he earned first-team All-America honors from ESPN.com and led the nation in passes defended while helping the program to an undefeated record. But Roby left little doubt that he wouldn’t be putting off his professional career twice, saying as far back as April that “this is going to be my last year, everybody knows that.” Roby has had a bit of an up-and-down season for the No. 3 Buckeyes and has been part of a few rough outings for a secondary that has allowed some prolific passing performances this year, including a 207-yard outing by Wisconsin receiver Jared Abbrederis. Roby also was suspended for the season opener after an offseason incident at an Indiana bar in July. However, he has looked the part of one of the most athletic defensive backs in the nation. He leads the team with three interceptions, has contributed 45 tackles, has blocked a punt and has scored a pair of touchdowns to help keep the Buckeyes in contention for a potential berth in the BCS national championship game. And despite some of that early inconsistency, a renewed focus appears to have him back on track to be a high draft pick in the spring. “I’m just concentrating on doing my job and making plays for my teammates,” Roby said last month. …
Continue reading this article at ESPN: Bradley Roby of Ohio State Buckeyes forgoing final year of eligibility
