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Young Buckeyes Considering NFL Draft

By RUSTY MILLER (AP Sports Writer)
From Associated Press
December 16, 2006 4:42 AM EST

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Four of Ohio State's top underclassmen on offense are considering leaving school early to enter the NFL draft. Junior wide receivers Ted Ginn Jr. and Anthony Gonzalez, tailback Antonio Pittman and lineman Kirk Barton filed paperwork with the NFL on Friday.

"We're just awaiting some information so that we can make good decisions," said coach Jim Tressel, whose No. 1 Buckeyes play No. 2 Florida for the national title Jan. 8 in Glendale, Ariz.

An NFL advisory committee estimates where, or if, a player might be taken in the draft. A player can then elect to remain in college or make himself available for the draft.

Pittman said several weeks ago he wanted to come back for his senior year and win the Heisman Trophy - just as teammate Troy Smith did this year.

"I want to come back, but like anyone else I have a family to take care of," said Pittman, who rushed for 1,171 yards and 13 touchdowns after gaining 1,331 yards and scoring seven times a year ago. "When the paperwork comes back in, I'll sit down with my parents and coach Tress and then we'll make a decision."

Ginn led top-ranked Ohio State (12-0) with 59 receptions for 781 yards and nine touchdowns. With breakneck speed, he is also one of the nation's top return men.

Gonzalez is second on the team in receiving with 49 catches for 723 yards and eight scores. He is known as a dependable receiver with good hands and speed.

He filled out the papers just to keep his options open.

"What I want to do is come back, that's for sure," Gonzalez said. "That's easy because it's fun here. The vast majority of the people I know in the NFL are miserable."

The 6-foot-6, 310-pound Barton started every game at right tackle as the Buckeyes averaged 36.3 points and 410 yards per game.

Three Buckeyes left early a year ago for the NFL, with two taken in the first round (defensive back Donte Whitner and wide receiver Santonio Holmes) and another in the third (defensive back Ashton Youboty).

Twenty-two Ohio State players have left school early to be a part of the draft since 1992. The list includes some of the most productive Buckeyes in the NFL: Dan Wilkinson, Terry Glenn, Shawn Springs, Orlando Pace, Nate Clements and Chris Gamble.

The Buckeyes are chasing their second national championship in the last five years. Ginn said his focus right now is not on the NFL, but the game.

"The papers and the NFL and all that can wait," he said. "It's going to be a decision that I'll have to ask my parents about."

Tressel called Gonzalez to suggest that he file the paperwork. Gonzalez said had no desire to leave but would reserve judgment until after he had gotten an idea of what NFL teams thought about him.

"I want to come back. Now what's the right thing to do? I don't have the answer to that. Nobody does right now," he said.

Pittman is not looking forward to making the decision when the time comes.

"I don't think it's an easy decision at all," he said. "For the last three years, this is all I've known. These guys come in here are like family. To walk away from your family is a hard thing."

Asked if players leaving early came with having a high-profile program, Tressel said, "It's just part of the deal."

To recommend that his top players keep their options open to do what's in their best interest is a true sign of class.

Man, I hope Gonzo, Ginn, Pittman stay for a chance for a repeat, that is if we beat FLA <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> We will! <img src="/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> But it is up to them and maybe if we win it all they think what else do they need to do with college. I know I would love to have Gonzo on the Browns! Fast and can actually catch, quite a concept <img src="/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />
GO BUCKS!

I have followed Pittman since high school; my mother and his used to work together and I even got an autographed picture of him.<img src="/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif" alt="" /> He's going to be a good player but I think it'd be in his better interest to stay one more year and assure himself a high pick. The money he would make this year would be easily made up next year with a higher pick. JMO

As for the rest of the guys; Gonzo loves OSU too much to leave, Ginn is probably gone since Smith is leaving. Barton could be an interesting pick for us; a natural RT with great size; could look good in orange and brown depending on where he goes if he declares.

I personally think that Barton would be a huge loss. I think he should stay in school another year. I also think Gonzo and Pitman should too. Not sure about Ginn, although I believe he needs to improve his route running.

Looks like we see it pretty much the same way.

Did you know that Barton was a TE in high school? He would probably go late in the second this year. He has a real shot to be a first round pick if he comes back.

j/c

The age old "should I get it now, or get more later?" dilemma.......stay in school, get better, THEN get yours? Or go now, get what you can? Stay in school, get better, get more? Or, stay in school, get hurt, and miss out?

Tough decisions.......They are all "testing" the water, so to speak.......

Ginn needs to stay for sure, he isn't ready for the next level yet IMO. Staying is nothing but good for him.

I agree about Ginn. He will be next years Johnson. He needs too take one of those lloyds of London policies, but he should stay.

I figured Pittman would end up coming out.

I work in a dentist office and we made dentures for Pittmsn g-ma and she said he was considering coming out because of Wells and the whole sharing carries thing.

Here's my take on these 4 players, just from an outside perspective.

Barton should stay because although he could be a late 1st /arly 2nd round pick, he has the potential to be a top 2-3 lineman next year and possibly push in to the top 10. For offensive lineman especially, the jump in money is pretty staggering. He has great NFL size (6'6'' 315 LBS) and could easily be the second linemean off the board behind Long.

Gonzalez. If he wants to play pro football, will his stock ever be higher? I can't imagine he'll turn in a similar season ( 50 catches, 700+ yards and 8 TD's) with a first year QB running the offense. Especially considering that OSU is probably going to pound the ball a lot more with Wells. He has great hands, good speed and he's being showcased in the NC game.......for a player like Gonzo, who may normally be an NFL afterthought (because of his size and lack of signifigant opportunities in prior seasons), it's a pretty tough decision to make. He's not going to get single coverage like he did this year, especially if Ginn bolts. There's no reason to come back and drop to a second day pick. If coming back to school hurts your draft stock (and you eventually want to play in the NFL), you shouldn't return.


Ginn. Aside from Calvin Johnson, this WR class is extremely WEAK. Just consider a white boy who isn't all that fast ( Samardja) is the #1 rated senior WR. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> NFL gm's love speed and Ginn may approach a record setting 40 yard dash. With world class speed and experience playing DB, I would guess Ginn will be taken much higher then people expect. I personally think he'll be a lock in the top 15 after his workout and someone in the top 10 (that really needs a pass catcher) could easily take him. Troy Williamson was a very similar player and he soared up draft boards after running a 4.33 at the combine. I would guess Ginn could atleast match that and can most likely go under. The big question again will be how much confidence does he have in a new signal caller?

Pittman. Personally, I think he's the only no-brainer of the group. All 3 guys mentioned above could easily come back (and rightfully so) but it makes absolutely no sense for Pittman to return. A new QB steps in, meaning defenses will be stacking the box from the gun. Pittman isn't a big guy and although he does pretty well inside the tackles (for his size) he can't excell f or an entire season against stacked fronts. Not only that but Chris Wells ate in to his carries as a freshman with fumbleitis. If Wells proves he can hold on to the rock, it was apparent that Tressel would much rather have a big, brusing back in the game. I don't see a scenario in which Pittman even comes close to duplicating a 1,200 yard 14 TD season. He should go, I just don't see how he can improve on his stock. Especially when considering the other factors in place (new QB and an emerging underclassmen at RB).

So.......here's the short version:

Barton - Stay
Gonzo - 65/35
Ginn - 80/20
Pittman - Go