The first domino has fallen.
Ohio State receiver Garrett Wilson has announced his decision to declare for the 2022 NFL draft and will not be playing in the Rose Bowl Saturday. The move will undoubtedly be met with some criticism from some Buckeye fans, but it’s a new world we’re living in, and a growing trend for potentially high draft picks to skip bowl games to preserve their health and financial future at the next level. And really, it’s hard to blame him.
Wilson becomes the first Ohio State player to announce an opt-out for the Rose Bowl game and the first underclassman to confirm that he’ll enter the draft early. There have been rumors circulating about a couple of other players, but we won’t speculate until further information is available.
What we can report is that fellow receiver Chris Olave traveled to SoCal and has been practicing with the team.
Wilson made an instant impact as a freshman, had an unbelievable sophomore campaign, even for a COVID-19 shortened one, then followed that up this season with 70 receptions for 1,058 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Wilson took to Twitter to thank Buckeye Nation, his family, friends, and coaches for his time in the scarlet and gray.
It’s been a special 3 years… To Buckeye Nation with love. ✌🏾 #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/FRKHTwNEwj
— Garrett Wilson (@GarrettWilson_V) December 27, 2021
It’s been awfully fun watching Wilson live up to the lofty expectations heaped upon him when he committed to Ohio State out of Texas, and now we’ll wish him well at the next level. We just wish we had one more game to watch him run circles around secondaries.
[listicle id=70537]
Contact/Follow us @BuckeyesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes and opinion.