The Ohio State Buckeyes will need to pick a new defensive captain and middle linebacker after Raekwon McMillan formally declared for the 2017 NFL Draft this week.
The junior football standout and former Liberty County High School player made his decision public via twitter and Facebook Wednesday, thanking the Ohio State fan base, coaching staff, family and God.
“First off I would like to thank God as he has been my foundation and never left my side through everything at OSU, my family for sacrificing and making sure that I stayed the course every step of the way, the entire Ohio State coaching and support staff for allowing me to become captain and leader of this program,” McMillan said. “Everyone around me molded me to become who I am today, that is why it was a difficult decision but I have chosen to forgo my senior season and declare for the 2017 NFL Draft.”
For the second year in a row, McMillan led the Buckeyes in tackles with 102, just 17 tackles shy of last year’s stats.
McMillan is an anticipated first or second round draft pick.