As expected, Brian Hartline has opted to try his luck in the NFL and will forgo his senior season at Ohio State. He released a statement announcing his decision today:
“I am thrilled to declare my eligibility for the National Football League draft.
“Everyone involved within The Ohio State University football program has done a tremendous job for me. I want to thank all of them, particularly Coach Tressel, for helping me to succeed as both a student and an athlete during my time here.
“I would especially like to thank the media and the fans of Ohio for being great to me and to my family throughout my career.
“I have had an outstanding experience at OSU and am thankful for the support I continue to receive. I now look forward to testing myself against the top competitors in the National Football League.”
While you never want to see anyone leave early, this move probably won't surprise anyone with Hartline getting married in May and graduating in June.
Another junior announced his intentions for 2009 today and this time, the Buckeyes got some good news as safety Kurt Coleman is returning for his senior season.
“After a lot of thought and study, I have decided to remain at Ohio State for the 2009 season to complete my degree and my college football career.
“I am extremely blessed to be in the position where these opportunities are possible, and I’m very grateful for the support of my family, my teammates and the Ohio State community.
“My decision to come back is a lot about helping this team. I feel we can do anything next year. We have a lot of great leaders coming back and an excellent group of underclass talent. For me personally, my family and I felt this was the best decision for me, to make my career at Ohio State even better than it has already been.
“I have a lot to prove to myself and a lot of things I want to accomplish. With one more year here, I can attain all those goals.
Amen. And now we wait on Washington.
Comments
The only way he'll get drafted in the first five rounds is if he goes on a multi-state killing spree; the Bengals will have no choice but to snatch him right up
Hartline = undrafted FA. I hope I'm wrong...he's a Buckeye and I wish him the best.
Coleman is a big deal. Having a Senior leader at DB is always a plus. He made a lot of plays in '08. I expect him to be a captain.
How is the wide receiver draft this year in general?
I can see him making a decent showing for himself in the combine and senior bowl and going in one of the late rounds. If he can get on a team at all its still better money that he's making staying in college.
Minus, of course, the senior bowl. I was apparently paying no attention when I wrote that post.
“I am thrilled to declare my eligibility for the National Football League draft."
I doubt Brian will be too thrilled with his decision when he signs his first CFL check.
that should read:
"when he signs his first CFL contract."
I hate myself
Awesome news about Coleman. Dude seemed to be everywhere on the field this past year, hopefully we see even more of an impact in his senior year. I'd say he'll be good for All B10 honors at least.
As for Hartline... Addition by subtraction.
Ray Small also staying for his senior year. I still have high hopes for the kid despite kind of shunning him earlier this season. Hopefully he can turn it all around in his final go.
Totally agree with the thoughts on Coleman. I thought he had a very good year and definitely has the leadership skills this team will need with the departure of guys like Jenkins and Laurainaitis. Plus, I respect Spielman's opinion as much as anybody's and he does nothing but RAVE about Coleman as both a player and a leader.
I think other than Hartline's apperant distain for the TP move, he saw the writing on the wall. The talent behind him is poised to shine with or without Hartline, his stock would have only dropped IMHO as he would likely still be #2 to Posey (09=breakout year) and be lost in the wash of the others (Flash, Duron Carter?!?!, Taurian, Dane, the Ghost of Ray Small). I don't know, if he came back, would JT try to be loyal and give him #1 routes and preference? Probably. Which is why, although not overtly GLAD, I am OK with him leaving (except for the feeling he might not get drafted). I think ultimately, we will be better off for it.
bye
But if he doesn't and the Browns draft him or sign him, he'll be sure to contract some sort of life threatening bacterial infection. Then of course, the Browns will try to cover it up.
I'm definitely not sweating Hartline leaving, especially after the wording of this line in his statement:
“Everyone involved within The Ohio State University football program has done a tremendous job for me."
i heard from a source close to the team that, on the weekends, brian hartline does stunts for little richard in gay movies.
hate! hate! hate! hate!
yea.... the for me is a dead giveaway. Hartline was never a real team player and never played his best when it mattered most. He is not going to get drafted (I predict) and will be nothing more than a free agent who gets a catch on offense occasionally and plays special teams.
Hartline saw the talent coming in (best WR recruits I can ever remember) and the ones sitting on the bench and he realized that he may suffer the same fate that Boeckman did. Harline (and Robiskie) were not happy with the change at QB and it showed.... Thanks Brian, now bye bye.
How can a slow white kid from Ohio have such a cocky arrogance about him to the point he can totally ignore his own shortcomings to bitch about the guy throwing him the ball and actually BELIEVE he will be drafted and competing in the NFL next year? ( man thats a long sentence )
He is essentially quitting the team and football in my opinion. Ive heard of thinking highly of yourself, but dude, come on. First off, he should be playing at a MAC school. There is no way he really thinks he'll have a career in the NFL.
He's basically throwing his line into the water to see if he gets a bite, if not, so be it, he has a college degree to fall back on. How can you choose this instead of at least trying to work hard and improving your draft stock. He is truly full of himself.
Big one gets away
According to this story just posted, defensive tackle Corey Adams has chosen Arizona State over Ohio State.
It's a loss for OSU, certainly, as Adams was one of the final 4-5 kids they were holding out hope for in this class.
But privately, Buckeyes coach Jim Tressel had admitted this was going to be a tough sell, to get a player to commit cross-country over his hometown team. I think he figured this might happen.
http://blog.dispatch.com/bucke...
PS. - At least USC did not get him; however, he falls into the abyss that is ASU football.
Speaking of USC, just got word that Mark Sanchez is declaring for the draft. Definitely didn't see him doing it after just one full season. Bad for them, good for us.
Good news, indeed.
I think it was an easy choice for him now that Bradford is coming back. probably will be the first QB taken. him or stafford
Spot on post... I couldn't agree more that he chose to leave because Bradford chose to stay.
Two of the Bucks biggest arch-nemesis' of 2008 are gone. Maybin and Sanchez. Yep, things are lookin up, boys. Dust off that mantle Tress, make room for some new crystal ware!!
Your job is done, (Hartline)!
Bye!
Bye!
and McCoy staying as well.
I'm glad Coleman is staying. He's a beast, and anytime you can keep an eligible junior who led the team in INTs from bolting then it's a good day. I hope he's right that they "can do anything next year." I'm taking that with a grain of salt, but hope it comes to fruition.
I agree. Fans love those Buckeyes that come back for another run (well, most of them). And he should be a monster next year.
I'm happy to have been wrong about him leaving early.
Heard D-Wash was declaring too. The CB position is definitely going to have a new look in '09!
P.S. Lots of you are being real dicks about Hartline. You don't know him. He's not insulting your mother by leaving. His choice, people, show some restraint, or at least some Tress-style class.
I agree. I can understand Hartline standing up for his best friend, wouldn't you for yours. And besides Hartline was in the very least a beast on special teams. Lets remeber the good. Here you go!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...
You are a post screwing-up buffoon
I'm not sure if you're addressing me, but I'll explain my comment above a little further. I don't have a problem with him leaving, nor do I have a problem with any player leaving. If it's best for them personally, then that's fine with me. I have a problem with his "me first" attitude that most of the OSU players don't have. It was detrimental to the team this season (especially during the starting QB switch), and ultimately, detrimental to Brian Hartline and his reputation (the NFL will notice things like that). That's why I'm not sweating his leaving, which isn't that harsh of a thing to say, actually.
Once again, I'll let Hartline's own comments speak for themselves:
“Everyone involved within The Ohio State University football program has done a tremendous job for me.”
Ouch. Browning is leading the "odd man out on the line" poll, including a vote from me. Hopefully, he'll improve significantly and earn himself a starting spot again. They need veterans.
I just hope they all reduce the number of "gravies" next season.
If what has been reported about his negative effect on the locker room is true than it probably is better that he leave. That said, I spent about 5 hours at WHAC around the team in August. Most of the players were pretty cool with the exception of a bonehead or two but Hartline was, by far, the classiest most gracious of the bunch that I observed.