Nov 21, 2015; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes running back Ezekiel Elliott (15) stands on the field prior to the Buckeyes
Ohio State Buckeyes running back Ezekiel Elliott announced he is leaving for the NFL after this season!
No matter how big-time a prospect is, we usually don’t hear such an announcement so early. The prospect almost always makes the announcement right after a Bowl game or even a few days after that. But anger forced this announcement out of the mouth of one of the best running backs in the country.
Head coach Urban Meyer’s play-calling was bad Saturday, losing the locker room and Elliot. Many were critical of Elliott voicing his displeasure with his coach’s calls but its hard to blame him in this situation. Elliott went into the game a Heisman Trophy candidate and he’s the best player on the offense.
They were playing in the biggest game of the season so far and Meyer gave Elliott only 12 touches. Everyone always wants to put it on the student-athlete but this one should be on the coach. There is no excuse for your best offensive player getting 12 touches in a big game unless you’re blowing the opposing team out.
Meyer’s calls cost Elliott the opportunity for a possible Heisman Trophy and National Championship in one game. Replacing quarterback Cardale Jones with J.T. Barrett after he just won him a National Championship isn’t a good look either. Speaking of Barrett, he had more carries on Saturday than Elliott did.
No wonder Elliott said, “How we lost, I just feel like we weren’t put in the right opportunity to win this game, we weren’t put in the right situations to win this game. Honestly, this is my last game in the Shoe. I mean, there’s no chance of me coming back next year.”
He wasn’t coming back anyway but what he said was for good reason.