Ohio State Reacts To Denzel Burke’s NFL Draft Decision On Friday

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Spencer Ostrow | Last updated Jan 24, 2025 5:48 PM ET

The Ohio State Buckeyes were the premier program in college football this season after claiming the school's ninth national championship on Monday night. Despite the two losses in the regular season, they were dominant, especially on the defensive side of the ball.

The Buckeyes ranked No. 1 in the nation in points allowed per game (12.9) and yards allowed per game (254.6). Unfortunately, what happens in college football is when success comes, programs are bound to lose a boatload of talent to the NFL draft.

Ohio State had already seen cornerbacks Davison Igbinosun and Jordan Hancock declare for the draft. On Friday afternoon, a third cornerback joined them, adding another blow to their secondary next season.

Denzel Burke was the latest to turn pro. Shortly after the announcement by Burke himself, Ohio State shared a reaction using two emojis.

"❤️," it wrote.

❤️ https://t.co/n0N87lR1Yb
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) January 24, 2025

The Phoenix, Arizona native played a major role on Ohio State's defense over the past four seasons. Due to injuries back in 2021, he became the first freshman to start for the Buckeyes on that side of the ball since 1996.

The 6-foot-1, 193-pound defensive back continued to make his presence felt over the next three seasons. As a senior in 2024, he tallied 48 tackles, two interceptions and two passes defended.

As the 2025 NFL Draft approaches, Athlon Sports' Luke Easterling projected him to land as a third-round pick, going 81st overall to the Cincinnati Bengals.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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