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Garfield graduate finishes career at Ohio State with 3,382 yards rushing
Published on Friday, Jan 09, 2009
From staff and wire reports
Ohio State tailback Chris ''Beanie'' Wells is giving up his final year of eligibility to enter the NFL Draft.
Wells, one of seven Ohio State juniors who were considering making the early jump, issued a statement Thursday saying the move is in the best interest of his family.
''I want to thank my teammates, my coaches, my teachers and the academic advisers for all they have done, and I definitely want to thank the Buckeye fans for all their support,'' Wells said. ''Ohio State has become like a family to me, and it will always be that way.''
A Garfield High School graduate, Wells fought nagging injuries much of his career at Ohio State. He was considered a Heisman Trophy candidate before missing three full games this past season with a right foot injury, but still managed to run for 1,197 yards.
He played sparingly in the second half of Monday's Fiesta Bowl due to symptoms of a concussion, finishing with 106 yards on 16 carries in Ohio State's 24-21 loss to Texas.
In three seasons at Ohio State, Wells ran for 3,382 yards, fourth best in school history.
He's projected to be one of the first running backs selected in the draft.
''Ohio State football will miss Beanie's big runs,'' OSU coach Jim Tressel said, ''but we will also miss his big smile.''
Garfield football coach Bob Sax, who coached Wells in high school, said he wasn't surprised by Wells' decision.
The two had been in regular contact.
''The last few months we've been talking, so I kind of felt he was leaning toward going [to the NFL],'' Sax said. ''We were talking about maybe doing something here at the school for his official announcement. But
[Wednesday night], he told me he talked to Coach Tressel and Chris felt it would be best to get a memo out to the press.''
Although Wells has had injuries in each of his three seasons at OSU, Sax believes he is ready for the NFL.
''When you're a big back, you're going to be banged up and any coach that has him is going to run him,'' Sax said. ''He still had a good year. Maybe not what he wanted or expected but he missed three games and still ran for 1,200 yards. He showed in the first half of the Texas game what he could do. I'm happy for him. It brings positive things to Akron and it's great for Garfield and it's great for the City Series.''
Other Buckeyes considering whether to leave early are receiver Brian Hartline, defensive backs Kurt Coleman, Anderson Russell and Donald Washington, tight end Jake Ballard and offensive lineman Jim Cordle.
Get the full article here.
Comments
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barberton, oh
Posted 06:18 AM, 01/09/2009
Why do U think he layed down in the Texas game ? He wasn't gonna get hurt knowing he was comming out. He's gonna lay down on other teams just like he did at OSU. Stay out of Cleveland, we have enough laydown artists.....
youngstown, oh
Posted 07:31 AM, 01/09/2009
He had a concussion you moron.!! You can't be too precautious with that injury. They did the right thing in sitting him out. He didn't lay down.
Posted 08:00 AM, 01/09/2009
He did his part in the big games. The rest of the team didn't do theirs. I'm sure Michigan won't miss seeing his backside anymore.
Stow, OH
Posted 10:59 AM, 01/09/2009
There is a reason they never mention their education or if they will get a degree in these articles.Like all of these big mega schools ,Ohio St. is just a stepping stone to the NFL for most of the good players. For crying out loud Oklahoma had a player on their team last night who was 25years old! And he was only in his first or 2nd year .
Posted 11:23 AM, 01/09/2009
Ball State's top defensive player was 31 years old this season.
akron, OH
Posted 11:36 AM, 01/09/2009
THATS BECAUSE THESE TWO PLAYERS STARTED COLLEGE AT A LATER AGE!!!!!!!!!!DUH
Stow, OH
Posted 12:17 PM, 01/09/2009
@ dawgblood ,then DUH ! maybe you missed the point,most of these big schools football programs are only there to entice the good players to help them into the NFL.It should be of no surprise Wells is leaving to join the NFL.
Posted 12:36 PM, 01/09/2009
Good choice. As a running back your career is over by about age 30, so you better get it while you can. Wells is a very good back despite being injury prone. He'll do a good job in the NFL, and OSU will have a hard time replacing him next year.
Akron, OH
Posted 02:55 PM, 01/09/2009
I watched the game-he got hit in the knee by a low tackler. This is why he was out-no concussion BS-he hurt his knee and he doesn't want anyone to know. If you saw the game you know the hit I am talking about-he was done after that low tackle on his knee. Don't get me wrong-I am a big fan of his-but, it was not concusiion-related. Nice cover-up though.
nitro, wv
Posted 04:54 PM, 01/09/2009
Wile E Coyote ---- The guy you're talking about from Oklahoma played minor league baseball for 4-1/2 years. Obviously, that didn't work out, so he's using Oklahoma to give football a shot. I don't think it's for the education!!! I would say he's definitely using it as a stepping stone into the NFL. You may want to do a little research.
Deltona, Fl
Posted 11:34 PM, 01/09/2009
Yes it is a shame that he will be gone,it would have been a sure NC with him,and pryor next year.These players that leave for baseball,and cant make the cut should not be aloud to play.Remeber the last time FSU was anything the had a 28 year old qb named chris wienke,if a couple of star players would stay and finish there time it would set a better example for the kids coming in.Money-Money-Money.Thats why the pro game is so far gone.
