After Ohio State’s loss to Michigan State today, quarterback Cardale Jones and running back Ezekiel Elliott both suggested that they’re heading to the NFL.
Jones wrote on Twitter that it was his last game at Ohio Stadium. Elliott also tweeted after the game that it was his last game at Ohio Stadium as well.
By returning for this season at Ohio State, Jones likely cost himself millions of dollars. Ten months ago, Jones was riding high after leading Ohio State to the national championship, and he was widely regarded as a first-round draft pick. This year Jones struggled and was benched, and in the process put a lot of flaws on tape for NFL scouts to scrutinize. Jones still has the large stature and the big arm that NFL teams love, but he no longer looks like a first-round pick.
Elliott is generally regarded as the best running back in the 2016 draft class, though not as good a prospect as LSU’s Leonard Fournette, a sophomore who still has to wait another year before he’s draft eligible. Elliott has a good chance of being a first-round pick.
It wasn’t a good day for either player today: Jones watched from the sideline, while Elliott was held to just 12 carries for 33 yards.