Marcus Williamson
FILE - Ohio State head coach Ryan Day yells during the second half of the Sugar Bowl NCAA college football game against Clemson in New Orleans, in this Friday, Jan. 1, 2021, file photo. Ohio State stars leaving early for the NFL happens every winter, but perhaps the more surprising news this time is about the number of important players who've decided to stay.(AP Photo/John Bazemore, File)
Day encouraged by returning players who put off NFL dreams

By Mitch Stacy Jan. 22, 2021 01:52 PM EST

A security officer checks as fans arrive for an NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game between Alabama and Ohio State Monday, Jan. 11, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Ohio State at Alabama 1/11/2021

Jan. 11, 2021 06:51 PM EST

Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields pauses before the start of the Big Ten championship NCAA college football game against Northwestern, Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Northwestern at Ohio State 12/19/2020

Dec. 19, 2020 12:21 PM EST

Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford warms up for the team's NCAA college football game against Ohio State in State College, Pa., Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
Ohio State at Penn State 10/31/2020

Oct. 31, 2020 06:53 PM EDT

Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez throws a pass against Ohio State during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Nebraska at Ohio State 10/24/2020

Oct. 24, 2020 01:43 PM EDT