Tyleik Williams announces decision to return to Ohio State for 2024 season

With the 2023 college football season wrapping up, plenty of players across the country are making decisions on what will be the next step in their careers. For the Ohio State Buckeyes’, star defensive lineman Tyleik Williams just announced the next step for him and his career. On Wednesday, Williams announced that he would not be declaring for the 2024 NFL Draft and would return to the program for the 2024 campaign.

The Buckeyes defensive tackle, who will be heading into his senior season, made the announcement from his social media account with this message attached.

“First off, I just want to thank the man upstairs for all that he’s done with me and the journey he has put me on,” said Williams. “Although it’s been a rocky one with lots of trials and tribulations, I enjoyed every piece of it. Next, I wanna thank my family for being there every step of the way throughout this whole process and being my motivation to keep going.

“Lastly, I wanna thank Ohio State for everything; the best band and the best fans in the world. Thanks for bringing me in with open arms and allowing me to put on that jersey and represent you all. I’ll never forget the memories I have created. That’s because… I AIN’T DONE MAKING THEM YET. YEAR 4 LET’S DO IT!”

Williams has been a problem for opposing offenses to slow down since stepping on campus back in 2021. In his three years at Ohio State, he has played in 35 total games, recording 90 total tackles, 40 solo, 19 tackles for loss, nine passes defended, nine sacks, a forced fumble, and one fumble recovered for a touchdown. Needless to say, head coach Ryan Day and their defensive coordinator Jim Knowles will be thrilled to have Williams defending the interior of their defensive line.

More on the 2024 NFL Draft

The 2024 NFL Draft will be held in Detroit, Michigan, with the first round on Thursday, April 25, the second and third rounds on Friday, April 26, and the fourth through seventh rounds on Saturday, April 27.

Players will have the opportunity to solidify their draft stock at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine, to be held in Indianapolis, Indiana from February 26 through March 4.

The three-day event will be broadcasted throughout the weekend on ESPN and NFL Network.

To be eligible for the NFL Draft, players must be at least three years removed from their final year of high school while having used up their collegiate eligibility. Underclassmen are able to request league approval to become eligible for the draft, as are players who have graduated prior to using up all of their collegiate eligibility.

Last season, 69 players were granted special eligibility for the 2023 NFL Draft. 13 underclassmen who had completed their college degrees were also deemed eligible to be selected.

The deadline to declare for the 2024 NFL Draft is on January 15. NFL teams will receive a full list of eligible players in the class on January 19.