Trio of Ohio State stars still practicing but remain undecided about futures
COLUMBUS — Several Ohio State players have not publicly announced their plans for the 2024 season, including star wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., dynamic running back TreVeyon Henderson and standout defensive end J.T. Tuimoloau. All three are juniors who could leave early for the NFL, and all three were asked about during Wednesday’s National Signing Day press conference.
“I’ve allowed those guys to kind of do their own thing,” Day said of the trio. “I don’t want to put their stuff out there.”
Day added, in reference to the No. 7 Buckeyes’ Cotton Bowl versus No. 9 Missouri on Dec. 29: “But we got a good group playing in the game. We do. We’re going down there to win the game. And we’ve had a good few weeks of practice.”
Day was then asked specifically if Harrison, Henderson and Tuimoloau have each practiced in the lead-up to the team’s trip to Dallas.
“Guys have been at practice,” Day said. “They’ve all been out there.”
Day added: “We’re going to have a good group going down there.”
Harrison, Henderson and Tuimoloau are part of a talent-laden 2021 Buckeyes recruiting class that ranked No. 2 nationally in its cycle and has produced an array of NFL prospects. That group, however, has notably not beaten Michigan or reached a Big Ten Championship game.
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Six third-year players have already announced that they will be playing in the Cotton Bowl. That list consists of Ohio State defensive end Jack Sawyer, defensive tackle Tyleik Williams, left guard Donovan Jackson, cornerbacks Denzel Burke and Jordan Hancock and wide receiver Emeka Egbuka. But those draft-eligible players have also yet to reveal their 2024 intentions.
That said, Day has emphasized the last few weeks that Ohio State has a chance to have a solid group returning for next season. That came up again when Day was asked Wednesday if he feels like the Buckeyes are behind in regard to transfer portal activity this cycle.
“We have a handful of guys that have to make some decisions here,” Day said. “And that plays into all this because things affect other things. Now if there’s somebody [in the portal] that we think fits right now, we’ll jump on it. We’ve had some guys that have already visited.
“But we have to make sure that not only can they help on the field, but also that they’re the right fit for a lot of different reasons. We have an opportunity to have a really good group come back next year.”
Day repeated: “And so that all plays into this.”
