With the Big Ten’s decision to reinstate fall football season dragging on and on, there are two Ohio State players in particular that decided they couldn’t wait any longer and communicated their decisions to opt-out of the season and declare for the 2021 NFL Draft.
First, offensive Wyatt Davis made the announcement, followed just a few days later by cornerback Shaun Wade. Both are expected to be potential first-round draft picks, and both put off declaring early last season to make one more run at it.
Now that the Big Ten has officially put its foot on the gas pedal and is moving forward with a season that will begin on October 23 and 24, many are wondering if the dynamic duo is considering reassessing their decisions and potentially coming back to play for the Buckeyes.
Both Ryan Day and Gene Smith were asked about the status of both players during a Zoom call with reporters on Wednesday after the announcement, and both seemed to leave the door open.
Day specifically said he would welcome them back once they figure everything out with their families.
“They wanted to play,” Day said. “If they want to play, I believe 1,000% they should be able to play.”
Ryan Day on Wyatt Davis and Shaun Wade – They both wanted to play but they made a decision based on information they had. Now that it has changed, Day believes they should be allowed 1,000 percent to play if they want to come back. More to come. Sounds like there is a potential.
— Buckeyes Wire (@BuckeyesWire) September 16, 2020
Smith went further and confirmed that he texted both players once the decision was announced and even interrupted a question to say that he received a call from Davis. “I’ll be back,” joked the OSU AD.
Gene Smith jokes (we think) that Wyatt Davis just called him while on the Zoom call. "I'll be right back."
— Buckeyes Wire (@BuckeyesWire) September 16, 2020
It must be remembered that both players made the decision once to come back to be a part of a national title run and potentially be a captain, and a part of the brotherhood for one more season. Now that there is indeed going to be a fall season, all of that seems to still be on the table.
Would one of both reconsider? You’d have to think they’ll at least talk about it and it’ll be extremely tempting. It really boils down to how solid they both are on the decision-making process they went through when both announced their desires less than a week ago.
More to come on this obviously, but at least neither Day nor Smith shut the door to the two coming back.
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