COLUMBUS, Ohio – Urban Meyer is losing a linchpin of his defense as junior linebacker Ryan Shazier has decided to enter the NFL draft.
“Playing in the NFL is something that I have been dreaming about since my days in pee-wee football. I just feel that now is the perfect time for me,” said the 6’2”, 230-pounder from Fort Lauderdale on Saturday, a day after the Buckeyes’ 40-35 loss to Clemson in the Orange Bowl.
Shazier started 29 games for the Buckeyes and has led the team in tackles for the past two seasons.
This season, he led the Big Ten and the Buckeyes with 143 tackles, the most by a Buckeye since Chris Spielman had 156 in 1987.
He also had a Big Ten-leading 22.5 tackles-for-loss, the third highest nationally.
Shazier was named a first-team Associated Press All-American and all-Big Ten Conference this season.