The Dallas Cowboys took Elliott with the No. 4 pick in the first round Thursday. He was one pick after teammate Joey Bosa, who the San Diego Chargers selected.
PHOTOS: Best Ezekiel Elliott shots of last two seasons
Elliott is the first Ohio State running back drafted since the San Francisco 49ers selected Carlos Hyde in the second round in 2014. He’s the first Ohio State running back drafted in the first round since Chris Wells went to the Arizona Cardinals in 2009.
Elliott, 20, went to Burroughs High School in St. Louis, Mo. He was a four-start recruit and the 11th-ranked running back, according to ESPN. He was the 109th-ranked player on ESPN’s list of the top 300 recruits.
Ohio State’s 2013 recruiting class included a number of players expected to be drafted this week — Joey Bosa, Eli Apple, Jalin Marshall and Vonn Bell — plus plenty of players, like quarterback J.T. Barrett, who will be key players in 2016.
Elliott declared his intention to enter the draft after Ohio State’s loss to Michigan State last November. In three seasons, he rushed for 3,961 yards, the second-highest total in school history behind two-time Heisman Trophy winner Archie Griffin. He averaged an Ohio State-record 6.7 yards per carry in his career and ranked fourth in school history with 44 touchdowns.
Elliott was the start of Ohio State’s run to the first College Football Playoff championship, gaining 696 yards and scoring eight touchdowns in three postseason games.
About the Author