Wells Enters NFL Draft

As Gossip Cbus first reported, Ohio State’s Chris Wells will skip his senior season and enter the NFL Draft. Wells formally announced his decision this afternoon. “I want to thank my teammates, my coaches, my teachers and the academic advisors for all they have done, and I definitely want to thank the Buckeye fans for all their support,” he said in a statement. “Ohio State has become like a family to me, and it will always be that way. But in the best interest of my family, it's time to move on and take a chance at fulfilling my lifetime dream of playing in the NFL.”

Wells’ decision was not surprising. One of eleven children, Gossip Cbus reported that finances were his soul consideration. “He needs to get paid, he needs to get paid now, the boy has family and things outside OSU to think about,” said a source close to Wells’ family (December 29). “This is purely financial and anyone who throws up any static should shut up. He was already hurt this year. At least next year, he could be hurt with millions.”

Wells concludes his career as Ohio State’s fourth leading rusher. In three seasons, Wells had 585 carries, 3,382 yards, and 30 touchdowns. This season, despite injuries (three games missed), he had 207 carries, 1,197 yards, and 8 touchdowns. He closed his junior season with five one hundred yard efforts in six contests (four consecutive).

“Ohio State football will miss Beanie's big runs, but we will also miss his big smile,” Coach Jim Tressel said in a statement. “He has been a tremendous teammate and one of the all-time great performers in the greatest rivalry in college football.”

Since our first report (December 18), Wells has slipped from a consensus top five selection to twelfth (in an average of six NFL Mock Drafts). Experts say his stock will continue to fluctuate based upon NFL free agency, individual workouts, and other underclassman who declare. Since 2006, an underclassman running back has been selected in the top seven each year.