Ohio State Star CB Denzel Burke Returning in 2024
The Ohio State Buckeyes players talked extensively ahead of the Cotton Bowl last month about multiple starters who had NFL possibilities returning for the 2024 season.
Over the last couple of weeks, a handful of those players announced their return as well, including Jack Sawyer, Tyliek Williams and Lathan Ransom.
However, on Wednesday, the biggest domino fell, with star cornerback Denzel Burke announcing his intentions to return for one more season to try and bring a national title to Columbus.
USA-Today
Thank you God for these past three years of ups and downs. Thank you for helping me grow and maturing me into the man I am today. None of this is possible without You and I'm truly honored and blessed to be in this position.
This was a hard decision but I've decided to return for my last year. Theres no rush for me to go to the league. want to graduate and keep developing into an elite corner. I'm chasing greatness and my own legacy as a corner. I wanna spend this last year with my brothers and win a Championship.
Go Bucks
Developing for the NFL is also extremely important to Burke, and a big reason for his return.
In fact, before the Cotton Bowl, Burke stressed the importance to him of being a top-10 pick - something another year in Columbus could very well help him earn.
"That's a big thing," Burke said. "Especially for me, man. I want to be a top-10 pick. But not only that, I want to have something to show for it down the road. To be able to show my kids and my family while I was at Ohio State, we won something. That's playing a big factor for me."
Burke, the Buckeyes' top coverage corner, is one of the best defensive backs in the Big Ten and was a member of the nation's top pass defense, which held opponents to just 145.9 yards per game.
Over the last three seasons with the Buckeyes, Burke has played in 35 games, making 93 tackles, six tackles for loss, two interceptions and 26 passes defended.
