You just never know. Guys that are studs at football factories like Ohio State can go on to the next level and just never quite reach their potential. And with as many guys as OSU sends to the NFL, there’s bound to be a player taken high in the draft that doesn’t carve out a nice career at the highest level.
And it’s across the college football and NFL landscape. “Can’t-miss” prospects like Ryan Leaf come about every once in a while and just can’t get it together and — just like that — they are out of the game of football asking questions and looking for answers on where to go next.
USA TODAY recently wrote a piece detailing the 101 biggest busts in NFL draft history, and only identified one Ohio State player. You may be able to pick out the biggest Buckeye bust, but maybe not.
Here is a look at what OSU player Nate Davis of USA TODAY chose as a bust when he finally got his chance at the NFL.
NEXT … Biggest Ohio State NFL draft bust
Running Back, Maurice Clarett
What Davis says about Clarett
“Sticking with the 101 theme … he only cost Denver a compensatory third-rounder, but pretty much everyone knew it was a wasted pick the moment the Broncos gambled on the controversial (and out-of-shape) former Ohio State star. Clarett never played an NFL down, even during preseason.”
Technically speaking, Davis chose Clarett as a bonus of already picking 101 guys, labeling him 101a. Still, he’s on the list so we’ll count it. He was a man-child for the Buckeyes as a freshman in 2002, and the Buckeyes don’t win a national championship without him. But boy did things go off the rails from there. The story is well-chronicled, but we’re glad Clarett has gotten his life in order and is now doing some very noble things in Ohio.
All Ohio State football players eligible for the 2021 NFL draft
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