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Noah Ruggles officially confirms return to Buckeyes

Austin-Wardby:Austin Ward•01/21/22•

AWardSports

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Ohio State kicker Noah Ruggles will return for the Buckeyes. (Birm/Lettermen Row)

COLUMBUS — Noah Ruggles seemingly emerged from nowhere to give Ohio State one of the nation’s best kickers for a season.

Now he’s publicly confirmed that he is going to give the Buckeyes a second one.

After his lengthy stint in the transfer portal following his departure from North Carolina ended with a somewhat surprising opportunity at Ohio State, Ruggles made made the most of it by becoming one of the most accurate field-goal specialists in the nation. And while he was waving goodbye to Utah after his game-winning attempt in the Rose Bowl, he officially confirmed on Friday the expected news of his return for one more season with the Buckeyes.

“Just want to thank Buckeye Nation for supporting me and making Columbus feel like home,” Ruggles posted on Twitter. “After long discussion and thought with my family, I have decided to declare for the 2023 draft.

“Run it back.”

That NFL Draft, obviously, is next year. But after converting on 20 of his 21 field-goal attempts and all of his extra-point tries, Ruggles did give consideration to leaving for the next level since he already has a degree in hand.

Instead Noah Ruggles will be back as one of the top returning specialists in the nation as Ohio State chases a national championship.

“Yeah, I have thought about [the NFL Draft],” Ruggles said late in the season. “And for me and my family, we’re all just taking it day by day.

“Honestly, that’s been my goal since I came to college at [North Carolina]. And I knew I had it in me. It’s just a matter of getting the opportunity to show it.”

Noah Ruggles made the most of it in Year One with the Buckeyes.

Now he’s waving hello to another season with them.

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