Both of Ohio State’s All-American tackles are officially finished with their collegiate careers.
Right tackle Dawand Jones announced via Twitter Wednesday that he will forego his remaining eligibility and enter the 2023 NFL Draft.
“Thank you to all the Ohio State coaching staff that have put me on this stage to showcase my abilities on the premier stage,” Jones said in the statement. “It’s been a great four years. Without saying anything else, I would like to say that I’m entering my name in this upcoming NFL Draft.”
Jones started two seasons at right tackle for the Buckeyes. He earned second-team All-Big Ten honors from the media and third-team from its coaches for his play during the 2021 season, upgrading to first-team All-American according to CBSSports and Pro Football Focus in 2022.
According to PFF, across 393 pass blocking snaps this season Jones didn’t allow a single sack, yielding just five pressures to opposing pass rushers.
Rising fourth-year Josh Fryar is the most likely candidate to replace Jones at OSU next season, having filled in for the then-injured 360-pounder against Indiana and factoring in as a blocking tight end in certain sub-packages for the Buckeyes.