Ohio State's Chris "Beanie" Wells opts for NFL draft

January 8, 2:28 PMCollege Football ExaminerTony Guadagnoli

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Ohio State junior running back Chris "Beanie" Wells has decided to forgo his senior season and enter the NFL draft.

Wells released a statement Thursday, saying it was time for him to turn pro. He is expected to be among the first running backs chosen and was a Heisman Trophy candidate before getting hurt in the Buckeyes' opener and missing three games with a foot injury.

“I want to thank my teammates, my coaches, my teachers and the academic advisors for all they have done, and I definitely want to thank the Buckeye fans for all their support," Wells said in the statement. "Ohio State has become like a family to me, and it will always be that way.

“There are a lot of things I know I will miss: just being in the locker room, spending time with my teammates, playing in the Michigan game, just all the aspects of being at Ohio State that make it such a special place. But in the best interest of my family, it’s time to move on and take a chance at fulfilling my lifetime dream of playing in the NFL.

“I will always appreciate everything Ohio State has done in helping me grow up and become a man, and I will always be a Buckeye.”

In three seasons, Wells rushed for 3,382 yards, fourth-best in Ohio State history. Voted the Buckeyes’ MVP in 2007 and 2008, he had 16 career games of 100 yards or more and scored 30 career touchdowns. He set the Ohio State-Michigan game rushing record with 222 yards in 2007.

"I have no doubt right now I'd make him the favorite to be the first back off the board," Daniel Mogollon of NFLdraftbible.com said of Wells in November. "I don't think (his foot) is that big of a deal. With the money that's thrown around, teams will do their due diligence, but I don't see it as a big issue at all.

"There's not really another back in the country that could match what he is in terms of size and speed. You look at the senior backs and there's a guy like (Michigan State's) Javon Ringer, who could be the top senior back, but Beanie blows him away in terms of all the measurables

“Ohio State football will miss Beanie’s big runs, but we will also miss his big smile,” Buckeyes coach Jim Tressel said in a statement. “He has been a tremendous teammate and one of the all-time great performers in the greatest rivalry in college football. He will always be an ambassador for Ohio State and all of us wish him well.”

The NFL draft is April 25-26 in New York. Players have until Jan. 15 to declare early entry.

 For more information: Ohio State Buckeyes Examiner