The Vandalia Butler High School graduate will have a Buckeye tree planted in his honor in Buckeye Grove outside Ohio Stadium, where he's been honing his considerable skills for four years.
Trees are planted — typically in a ceremony before the spring game in April — to recognize All-Americans, a tradition dating to 1929 at OSU. Decker became one Wednesday night, selected by CBS Sports to its first team.
OK, so it’s silly, but as traditions go, it arguably beats jumping into a lake or handing out gold pants as charms. And then there’s the fall ritual when fans collect the fallen Buckeye nuts for good luck.
Nutty traditions aside, what a career it’s been for the 6-foot-8, 340-pound Decker, whose last game indeed will be the Fiesta Bowl on New Year’s Day against Notre Dame.
As for the NFL, Decker is widely considered the top senior at his position and figures to be a high pick in next spring’s draft. Riches await. He is projected as a first-rounder by most scouting services that matter.
Says Danny Shimon in his recent todayspigskin.com scouting report: "I can see Decker getting drafted in the lower half of the first round as his overall makeup and football character will help elevate him up draft boards.
“If he does not pan out at left tackle, he can always be moved over to the right side where he can be a very good starter for years to come.”
And he’ll always have his own Buckeye tree.
On balance, Schiano makes sense for Ohio State
Nice to see failed Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Greg Schiano find work back at the college level, hired by Ohio State coach Urban Meyer as defensive coordinator and associate head coach.
Schiano replaces Chris Ash, who became the head coach at Rutgers, a job Schiano once held.
If nothing else, Twitter seemed to approve, mostly due to how Schiano's defenses performed during his run at Rutgers. The Scarlet Knights finished in the top 20 in points allowed per game four times, once as high as fourth.
Now, with far greater defensive talent to work with, this is Schiano’s big chance to revive his career after venturing to the NFL and posting an 11-21 record over two seasons.
Even better, Schiano is a quote machine, sometimes given to hyperbole, such as when he recently likened second-year Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater to a young Joe Montana.
And don't try the victory formation on him. As we learned from his days in Tampa, he's not a big fan of game-ending opponent kneeldowns. Refresh your memory about the Harry High School stunt he pulled against the Giants by going here.
Columnist renews call for boycotting Browns
Cleveland.com columnist Mark Naymik once again is calling for fans to boycott the Cleveland Browns. He must not have been paying attention Sunday close to game time when FirstEnergy Stadium sat half-empty.
As a loyal fan, if you’re wondering if it’s OK to turn your back on the Browns given their ongoing ineptitude, consider this from famous Cleveland native Drew Carey:
“I’ll buy the Browns when they’re worth buying. That’s all there is to it. I’m sorry about it. I hope I’m not hurting anybody’s feelings. But I’m not a masochist.”
Click or tap here for the unabridged version of Carey's screed.
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