Chase Young expected to enter NFL Draft despite recent comments

Ohio State star defensive end Chase Young made some surprising remarks recently when he indicated he is planning to return to school for his senior year, but all signs point to him turning pro.

Sources close to the Ohio State football program told Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports that Young intends to enter the draft after the season. He is viewed as a lock to be the first defensive player off the board and should be a top-three pick, depending upon which teams draft a quarterback. Young’s stock really cannot get much higher, so he would only be risking a significant injury if he decided to play for the Buckeyes for another season.

Young has 16.5 sacks on the season despite missing two games for an NCAA violation. He was a Heisman Trophy finalist, which is rare for a defensive player and speaks to the type of impact he has made.

Young told a photographer on the street this week that his plan is to return to Ohio State next season, but he is likely just trying to keep his focus on Ohio State’s national championship pursuit. The Buckeyes have a huge game upcoming against Clemson in the College Football Playoff, and you have to admire that Young is trying not to let talk about his future become a distraction.