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OHIO STATE FOOTBALL
Ohio State's Gonzalez to enter NFL draft
Ted Ginn Jr. still undecided.
Thursday, January 11, 2007
COLUMBUS — Speedy wide receiver Anthony Gonzalez, the second-leading receiver for Ohio State, said Thursday he will not return for his senior season and will enter the NFL draft.
"Obviously, it's the toughest thing I've ever had to do in my life," the 6-foot, 195-pounder said at an emotional news conference in the Woody Hayes Athletic Center.
Extras
He had asked an NFL committee to assess his draft standing and was told he was a second-round pick.
Two other Buckeyes are contemplating jumping to the NFL a year early. Tailback Antonio Pittman will announce his decision Monday at his Akron high school. Wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr. has not yet made up his mind, his father said Thursday.
Another junior on offense, tackle Kirk Barton, said last month that he will remain for his final season.
Befitting a philosophy major, Gonzalez said he carefully weighed the pros and cons for leaving early and for staying.
"Basically, the best-case scenario of leaving would be maybe you sneak into the first round. The worst-case scenario, maybe you fall down some draft boards. Am I OK with the worst-case scenario there? Yes, I guess I am," he said.
"The reality of the game of football is the worst-case scenario is I could show up the first day of spring ball and something terrible could happen and I may never be able to play this game and fulfill all the dreams that I wanted to."
An Academic All-American, Gonzalez was an All-Big Ten selection. He finished the season with 51 receptions for 734 yards and eight touchdowns.
Gonzalez said the 41-14 loss on Monday to Florida in the national championship game did not affect his decision. He also said it did not matter whether other teammates in his class were coming back.
"It came down to whether I felt I was ready and whether this was the right thing to do," said Gonzalez, who had two catches — half of Ohio State's meager total — for 11 yards in the game in Glendale, Ariz.
Comments
By Connie
January 14, 2007 03:16 PM | Link to this
I hate to see those guys go, but right now I am still sad over the Bucks performance, or lack of, against Florida. I’m a Bucks fan right down to my Block O tattoo and I will bounce back from this, but right now I’m ashamed to admit I’m from Ohio. Our local high school team could have beaten Ohio State the way they played. January 8 was definitely a black day in Ohio history.
By Roger
January 12, 2007 10:17 PM | Link to this
I would like to see Ginn stay, after being hyped up over the past years, he can make even more progress and help out with a deep threat for the new QB stepping in next year. Even if Pittman leaves they still have Chris Wells to step up, and the defense is very young. I wouldnt count the Buckeyes out next year. I would expect no less than a Big 10 Championship out of next years team.
By Heather
January 12, 2007 12:40 PM | Link to this
Good for Gonzo!!! All of the team members who are leaving deserve the best in the NFL> Hope they all do well in their careers. Too bad some people on the board aren’t real Buckeye Fans, did they forget about their season. Not one loss. I feel bad about the game last week, but these guys never lost one game and always showed great respect for their team, coach and Ohio. All you Fair weathered fans out there can root for another team-how about Michigan-they always need supporters. GO BUCKS!!
By Bob
January 12, 2007 12:21 PM | Link to this
I expected Ginn and Pittman to leave for NFL. I had hopes that Gonzo might stay. But, either way it looks to be a rebuilding year. Ohio State should do OK in the Big Ten, but I don’t see them finishing in the Top 10 next season. They will probably go 9-3 and get a decent bowl game. Looking at the silver lining, maybe the lop-sided loss vs. Florida will satisfy the bashers so that, next season, they will go dance over someone else’s corpse for a change.
By Don
January 12, 2007 11:39 AM | Link to this
This was the worst performance by a No.1 team, except for the 2006 Steelers. The young defence seemed confused and late on most plays.
Too bad Ginn hurt himself showing off! And what was Tressel thinking about on 4th and one on the thirty yard line?
I am eating a lot of crow down here in Gator country!
By Kristi
January 12, 2007 09:53 AM | Link to this
Can you blame him? As fans we all want him to return, but, if you were in his shoes, would you pass up millions? I know I wouldn’t. Not only is he getting his degree, but he also learned many football skills that he will use next year on Sundays. Sounds like he got a great college education that he will use to make money. That’s why I went to college.
Besides, I know he still wants to eventually attend Stanford law once he is no longer physically able to play.
By Dave in Centerville
January 12, 2007 09:27 AM | Link to this
We only hear about the good ones from OSU leaving. Other schools also have a number of juniors opting for the draft as well. I don’t know names but Fla. has at least one, USC, ND and Oklahoma also just to name a few. OSU is deep on the charts. They also have B. Saine Ohio’s Mr. Football coming from Piqua at running back who is probably faster than Ginn and Gonzales, Tressel may make him a wide reciever. There is even another Pitcock that may show up there.
By phil
January 11, 2007 08:17 PM | Link to this
losing gonzo is huge. he is going to go 2nd, 3rd or even 4th round. kind of like youboty last year. i don’t know who “projects” these guys but i feel he is going to slip. he, however, seems content to go wherever from what he said at his press conference. ginn is gone. he said that last year (in a slip up) after the nd game. said he was said to see the seniors not win a title because that was their last year and he still has one more (actually 2). pittman will leave, too.
By Greg
January 11, 2007 08:16 PM | Link to this
Gonzalez is graduating- no reason to come back to school. His stock might drop next year when he doesnt have Smith passing to him. If he comes back next year and the team goes 8-4 and he only catches 20 balls and scores 3-4 TDs, is he still going to be a 2nd rounder?
No-brainer. At least congratulate him for graduating and probably beng the REAL #1 WR on the team this year.
By Greg
January 11, 2007 08:12 PM | Link to this
At least Gonzalez is graduating. Keep that in mind. If you are already graduating from college and expected to be a fairly high draft pick, why comeback to college just to play football again ( when you have NO academic reason to be back)?
Student athletes are often criticized for leavng before graduating or even failing to graduate in 5 years. At least this guy is finishing.
Also, maybe this is as high as his draft stock goes. Troy Smith isnt coming back, his stats would decline next year
By Brett Barnes
January 11, 2007 08:12 PM | Link to this
Buckeye fans (and I am a huge one),
We are going to be down next year trying to replace these weapons. These guys leaving early is all and good and expected, so let’s look at Tressel’s track record. 7- or 8-4 then reload and be ready. Next year will be a 9-3 or8-4 year. Expect it.
By Dave Dietz
January 11, 2007 07:04 PM | Link to this
I am one of a very few Buckeye fans sitting in Central Pa, right on the door step of Happy Valley. They will go and I a sure there is somebody waiting in the shadows to take their place. Just beat Penn State and Michigan and they will be well on their way again.
By By Gary
January 11, 2007 06:22 PM | Link to this
Why would they stay? They didn’t do anything during the Championship Game. They didn’t even try, Let the wimpering Kid’s go away in shame.
By Matt from Columbus
January 11, 2007 05:22 PM | Link to this
But it seems like they didn’t even care about the NC game they only cared about going pro. They seemed to not even play or show up. I don’t know I never thought i’d see those guys act like that. The defence will be good next year I’m guessing Terry, Freeman, Lauranitis will start at linebacker. Ghoulston, Wilson, Abdullah will start defensive front with a a few other possibilities. We’ll have Jenkins, Russel, Patterson, and O’neil in the secondary. Not to mention guys like Amos and Washington.
By Evan
January 11, 2007 04:47 PM | Link to this
Take away Smith, Ginn, Gonzalez, and probably Pittman, and you still see other guys ready to step up. The defense will be stronger next year, especially at linebacker, and OSU will still compete for the Big Ten Title. The cupboard is hardly bare.
By Randy
January 11, 2007 03:57 PM | Link to this
Let’s face it, though, that Anthony Gonzalez coming out will not make a whole heck of a lot of difference. With or without him, Ohio State will need to rely on its defense to make another BCS run because Troy Smith is gone. For Ohio State to do that, it will need to get accustomed to winning games 17-7, etc., in which they rely heavily on Chris Wells and possibly Antonio Pittman for ball control. I am just thankful that I believe Laurinaitis and the defense are ready for the challenge.
By Laura
January 11, 2007 03:56 PM | Link to this
Is it just me, or does this remind anyone else of the season after the last national championship we were in?
Don’t forget, though, we still have some depth at wide receiver with Robiskie and Hartline. Chris Wells has talent and we have Saine coming too. Who knows? They could surprise us!
By yaounde
January 11, 2007 03:46 PM | Link to this
Who really cares? Money talks!
By Jamey
January 11, 2007 03:30 PM | Link to this
This is a bad sign for us Buckeye Fans.I mean the bucks always reload but for a #2 receiver to enter early who clearly wont be a 1st round pick cant be a good sign for things to come. It looks now outside of Troy Smith,the bucks oustanding Juniors are all gonna declare. Gonzo,already committed,Ginn& Pitmann,i mean they are having a press conference,and who has a press conference to announce they are staying?Plus have you ever heard Ginn Sr.talk,listen close ya hear chaching!Good Luck 7,10,25,11
By Brian
January 11, 2007 03:25 PM | Link to this
Ditto! I feel the same way. I really only care about Teddy staying for the next season so he can have a chance to play quarterback.
By Scott Ward
January 11, 2007 03:10 PM | Link to this
I think after the Buckeyes miserable performance, these players owe it to the school and ther fans to come back next year for another shot