In three of the last four NFL Drafts, the Buckeyes have had a linebacker selected who chose to forgo his final season of eligibility.
In 2014, it was Ryan Shazier, who was then followed by Darron Lee and Raekwon McMillan in 2016 and 2017, respectively.
Shazier and Lee were selected in the first round, while McMillan was chosen in the second round. All earned starting jobs, though McMillan’s rookie season was cut short with a knee injury before the games ever began.
Up next in that possible underclass linebacker lineage is third-year junior Jerome Baker.
Based on his play last season, many expected this season to be Baker’s last. The 2017 season hasn’t gone as expected for Baker, which could confuse matters when the time comes to make a decision.
Currently, that decision is on the back burner, however, because right now Baker is focused on getting a win over a USC program that he has watched for years. The NFL decision can wait.
“After this game, I’m hoping I can celebrate in Dallas. That would be cool,” he said. “But I don’t worry about stuff like that. It comes with the sport. You make decisions, but right now I’m worried about beating USC. You always played USC in the video games and to play them in real life is kind of cool. That’s pretty much my main focus.”
A few players from around the country who are declaring early are choosing to sit out their bowl games, like Florida State’s Derwin James and Josh Sweat.
Baker will not be one of those players. Regardless of where he will in 2018, on December 29, 2017, he will be at the Cotton Bowl with his teammates.
“Nah. I never thought about not playing or anything like that,” he said. “That just shows your culture and your locker room. I can’t not play with guys in their last year. Dame Webb, Tracy [Sprinkle], guys like that. You just have to go out there. We came in together, we’ll go out together. Even if I decide to leave or anything like that, I’m playing regardless. I can’t leave my brothers behind.”
