Ohio State junior cornerback Denzel Burke has set a date for himself to announce his decision on his football future, telling the media at AT&T Stadium on Tuesday that while he already knows what he is going to do, he will make a formal announcement to the public on Jan. 10.
“I’ll let you guys know on Jan. 10,” Burke said. “Mark your calendars.”
“That’s just the day (my family and I picked),” he added. “It’s after the bowl season, after the bowl game. I’ll have some time to really think about and make my decision. Well, I already have my decision. But you guys will know on Jan. 10.”
Burke, who experienced a career year with the Buckeyes in 2023 after an injury-riddled sophomore campaign, previously proclaimed on Dec. 12 that he was “50/50” on whether or not he was going to return to Ohio State for his senior season or declare for the NFL Draft. According to NFLmockdraftdatabase.com, the cornerback is projected to be selected in the 2nd round of the 2024 NFL Draft if he declares, with the highest projection having him taken in the first round at pick No. 21.
The cornerback also announced on Dec. 12 that he was going to participate in the Cotton Bowl on Dec. 29, becoming one of several key contributors from the 2023 squad — a group that consists of linebackers Jack Sawyer and Cody Simon, wide receiver Emeka Egbuka, and offensive lineman Donovan Jackson, among others —to play at least one more game for the Scarlet and Gray.
Burke said on Tuesday that he is participating in the Cotton Bowl to finish the 2023 season on a high note, while it also will provide him another opportunity to showcase his talents to those watching within the NFL brass.
“(I want to play) to finish the season out with my brothers,” he said. “(It’s) an extra game on tape for the scouts and stuff like that. It’s just to finish the season off strong and have momentum going into next year for next year’s team.”
Burke can only add to his already strong 2023 resume at the Cotton Bowl. The junior was named first-team All-Big Ten and a second-team Walter Camp All-American after recording a team-high eight pass deflections along with 19 tackles, two tackles for loss and an interception.
