Ohio State safety Jordan Fuller announced Thursday evening that he will pass up a chance to turn pro, and will return to the Buckeyes for the 2019 season.
He wrote, “The special privilege of wearing the scarlet and gray is something I’m not ready to give up yet. We have work to do. We have missions to finish. We have a brotherhood that’s stronger than ever. We are coming for everything they said we couldn’t have.”
The Buckeyes will now have both starting safeties back for Ryan Day’s first season in charge.
After a rocky start to the season for the safety unit, Fuller and Brendon White seemed to stabilize the position in the last month of the regular season. Having both players back means that what could have been a big question for the 2019 Buckeyes has already been answered.
Fuller submitted his name to the NFL draft advisory board to receive feedback on his draft position, but indicated in December that that didn’t mean he was leaning one way or the other. After weighing his options, he has decided to return to Columbus for his final season.
Fuller has been a two-year starter for the Buckeyes at strong safety in 2017 and free safety in 2018.
Taking over for Malik Hooker following the 2016 season was a tall task, but Fuller proved himself up to it, finishing second on the team with 70 tackles as a sophomore starter in 2017. His 70 tackles were just four fewer than Hooker had the year before as a First-Team All-American.
This season, Fuller tied with Malik Harrison for the team lead in tackles (81). A captain, Fuller was named Second-Team All-Big Ten this season, which was one notch better than the third-team nod he earned in 2017.
Fuller has three career interceptions, which includes one in each of the last two Michigan games. His interception late in last year’s game ended Michigan’s hopes.
Fuller came to Ohio State from New Jersey, and he originally arrived on campus as a cornerback. He was almost immediately moved to safety, however, and was in the two-deep as a true freshman.
He served as a team captain in 2018, and was also named an Academic All-American. He carries a 3.81 GPA as a business major.
You can read his full tweet announcing the decision below.
LET’S WORK❗️#GoBucks pic.twitter.com/UKE1Fsa7k3
— Jordan Fuller (@j_fuller4) January 3, 2019
Seems like a quality young man and a very good scholastic student.
This is huge for the Buckeye defense. Jordan maybe did have the kind of season he wanted, but he was still one of the 3 bright spots in the entire back 7 rotations. Looking forward to his return and his leadership.
Thanks Jordan!
Wise move. Home and White will be one of the best pairs of safety’s next year.