Luke Wypler won't be back next season.
Ohio State's starting center declared for the 2023 NFL draft in a statement Tuesday and will officially leave the Buckeye program after three years of college football.
Next Chapter pic.twitter.com/SfbZKfry2x
— Wypler (@LukeWypler) January 11, 2023
The four-star New Jersey recruit in the class of 2020 was an ironman for the Buckeyes over the past two seasons. Wypler led the Ohio State offense with 860 snaps played in 2021, and his 827 in 2022 were tied with Paris Johnson Jr. and Donovan Jackson as the most logged by any member of the Buckeye offense.
Wypler stepped into a starting role as just a redshirt freshman and started every game for Ohio State since. As a redshirt sophomore, Wypler was a third-team All-Big Ten selection by the conference media.
Wypler anchored an Ohio State offense that led the nation in both yards and points per game in 2021, and the unit finished ninth and second in those categories this past season.
But now moving onto the NFL draft as one of the top interior offensive line prospects in his class, Ohio State must replace its starting center in 2023 and beyond. Jakob James is a candidate to take over Wypler's mantle next season, having logged 79 snaps this past year. Toby Wilson could also be in the mix after receiving 18 snaps in 2022. Matt Jones is also a candidate to slide over to center if he returns to Ohio State for his sixth year of eligibility.
Ohio State already lost its two starting tackles with both Paris Johnson Jr. and Dawand Jones turning pro, and Wypler's decision means the Buckeyes will have at least three new starters on the offensive line in 2023.
