The inevitable happened.
Wyatt Davis, after four years at Ohio State and two All-American seasons as a starting right guard, has decided to leave college and enter the 2021 NFL Draft. He made the announcement on social media on Monday.
Buckeye for life! #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/pXE3WO83rr
— Wyatt Davis (@wyattdavis53) January 19, 2021
Ever since Davis opted out of the 2020 season for several days before the Big Ten reinstated a fall slate, it's been evident he planned to take part in this spring's draft. This declaration, in all reality, is a mere formality.
Davis, in his two years as a starter, impressed enough to put himself in first-round consideration. He sat on the bench for the majority of his first two years on campus before getting thrust into the 2018 Big Ten championship game for his first career start when Demetrius Knox went down with a late-season injury. Davis started that night in Indianapolis and the ensuring Rose Bowl, and he never looked back. As a full-time starter in 2019 for the first time, he earned All-American honors.
Then, after opting back into the 2020 season to chase a championship on a veteran offensive line, he turned into a unanimous All-American.
Davis is projected as a borderline first-round draft pick. The Athletic's Dane Brugler had him going No. 28 overall to the Buffalo Bills in his first mock draft. ESPN's Todd McShay also predicted he ends up as a Bill with the 29th overall selection. ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. views him as the second-best guard behind Northwestern's Rashawn Slater.
Numerous Buckeyes, including Davis, will be listening intently on April 29-May 1 as they hope to hear their names called in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Davis becomes the fourth Ohio State underclassman to officially declare for the draft, joining quarterback Justin Fields, center Josh Myers and defensive back Shaun Wade.
With the departures of Davis and Myers, Ohio State is losing two stars on its interior offensive line. That said, the Buckeyes have plenty of talented candidates to replace them. With Thayer Munford and Nicholas Petit-Frere returning to start at offensive tackle, offensive linemen vying for starting spots inside will include Harry Miller, Matthew Jones, Paris Johnson Jr., Dawand Jones, Enokk Vimahi and Luke Wypler.
