Denzel Burke Sets Date for Draft vs. Return Announcement

"To finish the season with my brothers," Burke said. "It's an extra game on tape for scouts. Just finish the year off strong and have momentum going into next year's team."

Burke is one of several draft-eligible players currently weighing their options for the coming year, tallying the pros and cons of both rising to the big leagues or coming back for one last campaign. Defensive end Jack Sawyer said he will "more than likely" return to the Buckeyes next season, while running back Miyan Williams announced his entrance into the draft earlier this month.

Burke said he has already made up his mind, but will be ready to make his choice public on January 10. 

One of the factors that influenced Burke's decision (whatever it may be) was not having defeated the Michigan Wolverines so far over his time at Ohio State. Burke said above wanting to hear his name called among the earlier picks in the NFL Draft, he wants to have a legacy he can look back on whenever he visits Columbus later in life.

"That's a big thing," Burke said. "Especially for me, man. I want to be a top-10 pick. But not only that, I want to have something to show for it down the road. To be able to show my kids and my family while I was at Ohio State, we won something. That's playing a big factor for me. When the time comes, y'all will know."