Ohio State football: How high will Trey Sermon go in NFL Draft?

Trey Sermon is leaving Ohio State and headed to the 2021 NFL Draft.

As much as Justin Fields was responsible for Ohio State’s championship-caliber offense, Ryan Day wants to run the football first and foremost, and running back Trey Sermon made the Buckeyes just as feared on the ground as they were in the air.

Sermon, who ran for 870 yards this season and dominated Northwestern in the Big Ten Championship Game, is officially saying goodbye to Day and Ohio State with the running back headed to the NFL Draft.

Sermon confirmed he is leaving with a Twitter post on Sunday afternoon. After getting injured on the opening drive of the National Championship Game, Sermon’s absence was felt in the Buckeyes’ loss to Alabama.

https://twitter.com/treyera/status/1350860087250837505

Trey Sermon established himself as a mid-round pick this season

Sermon arrived in Columbus this season as a transfer after gradually losing touches in Lincoln Riley’s pass-happy offense at Oklahoma. Luckily for the Buckeyes, Sermon showed why he is worth a top draft pick, as his blend of power, vision and elusiveness in the open field give him the potential to earn touches as a rookie.

The general consensus on Sermon is he is positioned to go early on Day 3 of the Draft. CBS Sports has him ranked as the eighth-best running back, and the 110th overall prospect, while The Draft Network has him seventh at his position and 120th overall. ESPN lists him as the eighth-best back and the 131st overall player.

Sermon’s lack of insane production in two elite offenses at the collegiate level should get some wondering about his ceiling, but the Northwestern game proved how lethal he can be, and that should warrant a Day 3 selection from a running back-needy team.

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