Ohio State running back J.K. Dobbins just announced that he will forego his senior season and declared himself eligible for the 2020 NFL Draft.
Dobbins just completed one of the greatest seasons in OSU football history. He rushed for a school record 2,003 yards and added 21 touchdowns.
He was a key weapon in the Buckeyes’ attack in big games this season. Dobbins rushed for a career-high 211 yards and 4 touchdowns in the 56-27 blowout win over Michigan.
Dobbins ripped off a 68-yard touchdown, and added a 64-yard run that set up a first half field goal in the Fiesta Bowl against Clemson. However, an ankle injury during the second quarter hampered him. Dobbins still finished with 174 yards in the loss to Clemson.
He arrived in Columbus as a four-star prospect from tiny La Grange, Texas in 2017. When incumbent starter Mike Weber suffered a hamstring injury during fall camp, Dobbins started the season opener against Indiana and immediately made a name for himself. He had 29 carries for 181 yards, establishing himself as the next big thing for the Ohio State offense.
Dobbins finished his freshman year with 1,403 yards rushing, splitting time with Weber.
His production dipped somewhat as a sophomore, to 1,053 yards on the ground, as he and Weber once again shared carries.
In 2019, Dobbins changed his diet and workout regimen to reshape his body to prepare for the season. All throughout fall camp, Dobbins was singled out as the player who was impressing other players and coaches. When the season started, it was clear that the hype was for real.
He rushed for more than 150 yards in eight different games, including the crucial four to end the season. He had 157 yards and 2 touchdowns against Penn State and 172 yards and score in the Big Ten Championship, in addition to his big performances against Michigan and Clemson.
Dobbins broke Eddie George’s school record of 1,927 yards rushing in the Fiesta Bowl, and finished with the first 2,000 yard season in Buckeye history.
He is also the first Buckeye to rush for 1,000 yards in each of his first three seasons.
Dobbins finishes his Ohio State career with 4,459 yards, good for second in program history behind Archie Griffin.
With Dobbins gone, Master Teague may take over the starting role. Marcus Crowley, Steele Chambers, and Demario McCall will also be in the mix, as well as incoming freshman Miyan Williams.
I will forever be a buckeye! ❤️ pic.twitter.com/5TFhsPto9l
— Jk dobbins (@Jkdobbins22) December 30, 2019
No one predicts a running back will be taken in Round One. Here’s hoping JK surprises the rest of the world and gets first round money!
Good luck JK and thank you for being a great Buckeye. You were so much fun to watch this year and you were a huge part of the team’s success. Not sure who replaces you next year and achieves the same level of contributions you gave this year.
Thank you for the great memories JK. Good luck going forward with your career. Wish you all the best.
Whatever you do JK, stay humble.
JK is a class act who allowed his words to be spoken on the field. Good luck moving forward. Hopefully the younger backs will learn from your example.
J K THANK YOU WE WILL MOSS YOU AND WISH YOU GREAT SUCCESS IN THE NFL. ONE LAST THOUGHT. YOU OVERCAME ADVERSITY TO BUILD AN INCREDIBLE COLLEGE FOOTBALL CAREER. IF YOU CAN INFLUENCE KIDS WHO ARE HAVING A TOUGH TIME TO EMULATE YOUR HEART AND DRIVE, YOU WILL HAVE MADE A CONTRIBUTION WAY BEYOND FOOTBALL. THANK YOU AGAIN FOR BEING A GREAT BUCKEYE.
Excellent career. Even more remarkable with how he bounced back after his sophomore year. Superb job JK!
The greatest single season EVER at a University that churns out great runningbacks. Snubbed by everyone……….even after the theft bowl, and even by Ohio States so called experts. Head patting platitudes be damned. He promised to work in the off season and he proved that work by simply being the best runningback in the Country……BY A LOT.
Best of everything JK……you are a Legend, and you achieved your goals. Now go get paid..and leave the snubbers behind.
JK……ALL DAY. The best players perform on the biggest stage. He shined and IS the Player of the Year for the Buckeyes………….and there’s NOT a close second.
this will be the biggest loss for the team imo..this guy has heart and will be greatly missed and impossible to replace…really appreciate all his heart and soul and effort he gave this Buckeye team…..was hoping somehow we would keep some of our juniors like clemson did with their d-line that came back and won a title for them…but OSU has no luck with that it seems..
The average life a RB in the NFL is 2.5 years. JK had an ankle injury in the Fiesta Bowl. I don’t blame him for going pro and making some money. Take those 3 B1G Championship rings, three pairs of gold pants, Cotton and Rose Bowl rings and be proud of what you accomplished at OSU. All I ask is that one day you come back and get your degree.
Sad to hear of course. Thanks for all the memories JK!!
‘bronzed’ by so many raters in their own mind…
but FIRST in determination, and converting every setback and also-ran finish… into a self-motivating example for us all….
Godspeed, JK… all day!