Ohio State Center Michael Jordan Declares For 2019 NFL Draft

For the fourth straight season, Ohio State will be replacing its starting center.

Ohio State junior center Michael Jordan announced Friday that he will forego his final year of eligibility to enter the 2019 NFL Draft, making him the second junior to make his decision public since the Rose Bowl. Safety Jordan Fuller announced his decision to stay at Ohio State on Thursday.

It was not an easy decision, but the right one for sure. Thank you everyone for your support! pic.twitter.com/0qmB7q1iuw

— Michael Jordan (@BigMikeJ73) January 4, 2019

Jordan, a Canton, Mich. native, was a three-year starter at Ohio State. He became the first true freshman offensive lineman to start his first career game as a Buckeye since Orlando Pace in 2016 when he earned a role as a starting guard. After starting in the same position in 2017, Jordan bumped down to center as a junior to help fill the void left by veteran Billy Price

Jordan’s decision means Ohio State will be replacing its starting center for the fourth time in as many years. Following Justin Boren’s back-to-back seasons in the middle of the Buckeye front (2014-15), Ohio State saw Pat Elflein, Billy Price and Jordan all fill that role in the following years.

Third-year sophomore Josh Myers is expected to get the first crack at filling Ohio State’s opening at center in 2019 after pushing for a starting role in fall camp.