Ohio State CB Eli Apple, WR Jalin Marshall leave for NFL
Two more Ohio State underclassmen threw their names into the NFL draft conversation on Monday.
Cornerback Eli Apple and wide receiver Jalin Marshall, both redshirt sophomores, announced Monday on Twitter that they will forgo their remaining eligibility and enter the 2016 NFL draft.
Apple started the past two seasons for the Buckeyes, totaling 86 tackles, four interceptions and 17 passes defended combined. He earned second-team All-Big Ten honors this season and was voted as the Defensive MVP of Ohio State’s Fiesta Bowl win over Notre Dame.
Buckeye forever pic.twitter.com/6vohzMqPDY
— Eli Apple (@EliApple13) January 4, 2016
Marshall played mostly wide receiver for the Buckeyes, but showed his versatility coming out of the backfield and as a punt returner. Marshall caught 36 passes for 477 yards and five touchdowns this season and 38 catches for 499 yards and six touchdowns as a redshirt freshman in 2014.
He also combined for 175 yards and a touchdown on 27 rushes over the past two seasons. For his career, he averaged 12.5 yards per punt return on 53 attempts.
Go Bucks! pic.twitter.com/tXK2nuBU2v
— Jalin Marshall (@JalinMarshall) January 4, 2016
Apple and Marshall are now the sixth and seventh Ohio State underclassmen to leave early for the draft, joining defensive end Joey Bosa, quarterback Cardale Jones, running back Ezekiel Elliott, safety Tyvis Powell and linebacker Darron Lee.
Safety Vonn Bell is still weighing his decision. The deadline to declare for the draft is Jan. 15.
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Sam Cooper is a contributor for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!
