It’s been a lot of news on the potential NFL declarations for the Ohio State football program on Wednesday. In fact, we’ve had a trio of announcements, all colored positively Scarlet and Gray.
Not only did starting left guard from last season Donovan Jackson announce his return to OSU, but so did cornerback Denzel Burke. To add to that, another member of the secondary also announced that he too will join his brothers and return to the banks of the Olentangy for one more season.
Cornerback, Jordan Hancock, announced his decision to put off the NFL and return to Columbus with what is turning out to be a whole host of Buckeyes looking to square up some unfinished business on Wednesday. He did it in perhaps the most subtle of ways — and in the third person mind you.
Breaking News: Jordan Hancock will be returning for his senior year at Ohio State
— Jordan Hancock (@jordanhancock_) January 10, 2024
This is further great news for an OSU secondary that should be pretty special, and able to build upon what it did in 2023. Safety Lathan Ransom and the aforementioned Burke will join Hancock, Sonny Styles, Jermaine Matthews, and Malik Hartford among key contributors back for Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles.
Hancock was the starting nickel safety last season and tallied 41 tackles and two sacks. He also snagged two interceptions, one of them a pick six. To say that it was a breakout campaign would be an understatement. He did enough to likely be drafted in April, but now he can build upon what he’s already shown.
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