Johnathan Hankins Leaves Ohio State for the NFL

The 6’3” 220 lbs. starting defensive tackle from Ohio State, Johnathan Hankins, is leaving after three years to enter the NFL draft. He is considered a first round pick and the most sought after Buckeye of the current crop of eligible pro players. As a junior he had 55 tackles and 4 for a loss after an incredible sophomore season with 67 tackles and 11 for loss.

The list of people Hankins wants to thank includes Jim Tressel, Jim Heacock, Urban Meyer, Mike Vrabel and strength coach Mickey Marotti. He thanked Jim Tressel and Jim Heacock for recruiting him and giving him a chance to be a part of the Buckeye program. Hankins was considered a late addition after Sharif Floyd selected Florida over Ohio State near the end of the recruiting season.

Hankins is a first-team Big Ten player, considered the 17th best prospect in the country according to ESPN, and considered the 2nd best defensive tackle by NFLDraftScout.com. The last junior to leave early for the draft was Thaddeus Gibson, not including Terrelle Pryor who left for the supplemental draft in 2011, who was selected in the fourth-round by the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Hankins hopes to return to Ohio State some day to complete his Criminology degree.

Ohio State is losing 7 of their defensive stars including the four up front in Hankins, Nathan Williams, Garrett Goebel, and John Simon. Urban Meyer has been busy for two years recruiting top defensive line talent in anticipation of this day when he loses all his starters. Other juniors that might leave Ohio State include cornerback Bradley Roby and running back Carlos Hyde.