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Ohio State: Jordan Fuller keeps focus on Buckeyes, not personal future

Austin-Wardby:Austin Ward•12/16/18•

AWardSports

Jordan Fuller by Birm:Lettermen Row

COLUMBUS — Jordan Fuller checked a lot of boxes.

So, too, did Ohio State as a whole.

But neither the star safety nor the Buckeyes quite reached the level they were targeting this season, which can make for something of a complicated evaluation process for somebody as analytical as Fuller.

“It wasn’t the season I wanted to have,” Fuller said. “But that’s not really important. We won a Big Ten championship. I really couldn’t ask for much else. And to be honest, I haven’t reflected too much about how I’ve done. I’ve focused on the team and the defense, really, and just getting us right and getting better every week.

“I think I did OK. I have a lot of goals for myself as well as the team. But the team goals come first, and I am definitely so happy that we finished the way we did. We’ve got one more task.”

It’s possible the Rose Bowl will be his last mission with the Buckeyes. And Fuller did submit his name for feedback from the NFL Draft advisory board “just to make an informed decision” about his future after the matchup with Washington on New Year’s Day.

Jordan Fuller-Ohio State-Buckeyes-Ohio State football

Has Ohio State safety Jordan Fuller played his last game for the Buckeyes in the Horseshoe? (Birm/Lettermen Row)

The athleticism is undeniable, and Fuller will certainly impress both physically and mentally in auditions with professional scouts and general managers. He has plenty of experience already after starting in the Ohio State secondary for the last two seasons. And he was again productive, finishing second on the team in tackles, recovering a pair of fumbles and nabbing an interception.

But the defense collectively finished as the worst in school history in yardage allowed. Ohio State came up short again in its bid for the College Football Playoff. And while Fuller can’t be blamed for the struggles the Buckeyes went through before finally finding him a bit of safety help when Brendon White was inserted in the lineup, the issues on that side of the ball obviously kept him from earning much individual acclaim or generating much draft buzz.

“I will just write out the pros and cons with my family and make an informed decision,” Fuller said after practice on Wednesday. “That’s not the main focus right now. I just want to get better every day and give my all for my teammates, because they deserve it. I want to give my all for Coach [Urban] Meyer as well.

“I’m not really focused on [the NFL decision] right now. That is something I have to discuss further with my family. I’m just focused on winning the Rose Bowl.”

That’s the next item on a to-do list that has plenty of checkmarks already on it for Fuller.

And whether there was as many as Jordan Fuller expected or not, adding one more is the only thing that matters now.

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