Ohio State CB Denzel Burke announces he will return for 2024 season
One of the top draft-eligible cornerbacks in college football will be running it back for one more year on campus. Ohio State junior corner Denzel Burke announced on social media on Wednesday that he’ll let the NFL draft wait and will return for a senior season with the Buckeyes.
It’s a major coup for head coach Ryan Day and Co. as Ohio State retools to try and reclaim a spot atop the Big Ten after three-straight seasons undone with a loss to Michigan. Along with Burke, fellow draft-eligible defender Jack Sawyer, a defensive end, is also returning to Columbus.
“Chasing Legacy and Greatness. They are going to remember my name. Thank you God!!” Burke said on social media as he announced his decision.
Burke has been a stalwart for Ohio State during three seasons on campus. He’s played in 35 games, making 93 tackles and defending 26 passes. He’s also got a pair of interceptions and a forced fumble during his three years.
“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,” Burke said. “This was a hard decision but I’ve decided to return for my last year. There’s no rush for me to go to the league. I 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.”
More on the 2024 NFL Draft
The 2024 NFL Draft will be held in Detroit, Michigan, with the first round on Thursday, April 25, the second and third rounds on Friday, April 26, and the fourth through seventh rounds on Saturday, April 27.
Players will have the opportunity to solidify their draft stock at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine, to be held in Indianapolis, Indiana from February 26 through March 4.
The three-day event will be broadcasted throughout the weekend on ESPN and NFL Network.
To be eligible for the NFL Draft, players must be at least three years removed from their final year of high school while having used up their collegiate eligibility. Underclassmen are able to request league approval to become eligible for the draft, as are players who have graduated prior to using up all of their collegiate eligibility.
Last season, 69 players were granted special eligibility for the 2023 NFL Draft. 13 underclassmen who had completed their college degrees were also deemed eligible to be selected.
The deadline to declare for the 2024 NFL Draft is on January 15. NFL teams will receive a full list of eligible players in the class on January 19.