CHICAGO — Taylor Decker is headed north.
The anchor to Ohio State's offensive line the last two seasons, the Detroit Lions selected Decker with the 16th pick in the 2016 NFL Draft Thursday. Decker is the fourth Buckeye drafted in the first round, joining Joey Bosa, Ezekiel Elliott and Eli Apple.
It's been a decade since a Buckeye offensive lineman heard his name called on the first night of the draft. The New York Jets picked center Nick Mangold 29th overall in 2006.
A three-year starter, Decker polished off his illustrious college career with 50 wins as the Buckeyes defeated Notre Dame 44-26 in the Fiesta Bowl New Year's Day. He started 14 games at right tackle as a sophomore, but then flipped to left his junior and senior seasons. In 2015, Decker received the Rimington-Pace Award as the Big Ten's top offensive lineman and earned All-American status.
An unquestioned team leader and captain, Decker was instrumental to Ohio State's rise under Urban Meyer and a member of the coach's first recruiting class in Columbus. When it was all said and done, Decker started 42 games for Ohio State.
Decker becomes the first Buckeye on Detroit's roster and is set to protect franchise quarterback Matthew Stafford.
