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Ohio State Football: Nick Saban on target at SEC Media Day

By Charlie Lockhart

ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 08: Head coach Nick Saban of the Alabama Crimson Tide walks on the field during warm ups prior to the game against the Georgia Bulldogs in the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 8, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 08: Head coach Nick Saban of the Alabama Crimson Tide walks on the field during warm ups prior to the game against the Georgia Bulldogs in the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 8, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /
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I am anything but an SEC fan but I have the utmost respect for Nick Saban. Ohio State players should pay attention to what he had to say today.

During  SEC Media Days, Nick Saban never disappoints as he is willing to share his opinions, which are usually strong ones. Ohio State football players would be best served if they seriously consider what the legendary Alabama head coach had to say.

According to Brad Crawford of 247Sports coach Saban spoke about players planning to enter the NFL Draft who now are skipping bowl games and ones leaving college with eligibility remaining.

Here is a sample of what Mr. Crawford reported coach Saban had to say about the two situations beginning with players sitting out a bowl game..

"“The bigger the Playoff (becomes), the less important the bowl games are,” Saban said on the SEC Network desk. “I think the biggest issue right now is players choosing not to play in bowl games. I mean, just a few years ago at LSU we went to the Sugar Bowl the second or third year I was there and we were like, ‘This is the greatest thing since slice bread.’ Now, you’ve got guys going to the Sugar Bowl and choosing not to play in the game.“So, that’s not good. There’s … that’s not good.”"

Now for players leaving early for the NFL.

"“There’s so many guys going out for the draft that aren’t getting drafted,” Saban said. “Fifty-percent of the guys who go out for the draft are having failed careers. Developing is so important. Going to college to develop a career off the field, to prepare yourself for when you can’t play football."

Coach Saban’s perspectives on both situations have merit and should have college players and fans alike taking them into consideration.

It’s a mixed bag as far as my thoughts about players missing bowl games. Since that has become an issue recently, the only Buckeyes who have shut their season down are Denzel Ward and Nick Bosa, who did so after his injury during the third game last season.

Since Ward was chosen as the 3rd pick in the 2018 draft and Bosa the 2nd this year it’s hard to fault either. However, it was nice all of the other players drafted in April played in the Rose Bowl Game giving Urban Meyer a great sendoff, and allowed fans to watch them play one last time.

Those players showed their appreciation for their coach, teammates and Buckeye Nation.

Now for players leaving early.

You would have to admit most of the Ohio State football players who entered the NFL Draft with eligibility remaining made good decisions as many became high draft picks. But not all have and two prove coach Saban’s point.

Jalin Marshall and Tyvis Powell left with a year of eligibility remaining. Neither has found a permanent home on an NFL roster and both would have been well served by returning to Ohio State for another season.

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You could also put wide receiver Noah Brown into the mix. He entered the draft with two years of eligibility remaining after having a nice season in 2016 with 32 receptions for 402 yards and 7 touchdowns, but that was the only season he saw significant playing time.

Brown was drafted in the 7th round by the Dallas Cowboys and is still on the roster. However, he has only caught 17 passes for 87 yards his first two seasons and hasn’t scored a touchdown.

Think another year of college ball may have helped him?

Anytime Nick Saban and Urban Meyer comments on players leaving for the NFL  I’ll pay attention to what they have to say. I’m not certain any other coach has approached the number of players either has sent to the NFL this century.

Many left early, were high draft picks and had success in the NFL. Some weren’t drafted or didn’t succeed in the pros and could have benefitted by returning to their school and learning from these great coaches.

Coaches Saban and Meyer certainly know whether or not a player is NFL ready more than others.

dark. Next. Buckeyes vault to 2nd in 2020 class rankings

I hope college football players seriously consider what coach Saban had to say at the SEC Media Day. Especially those on the Ohio State roster.

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