Cardale Jones' Future Reportedly 'Fluid' Despite Comments on 2016 NFL Draft

Ohio State quarterback Cardale Jones is reportedly still considering alternatives, including a possible transfer, as of Friday after previously stating he was going to enter the 2016 NFL draft.

Bleacher Report's Jason Cole reports the situation with Jones remains "fluid." He might still decide to go pro but could ultimately change course and leave the Buckeyes for another program with hope of improving his draft stock.

Bill Rabinowitz of the Columbus Dispatch noted Wednesday the quarterback said he was NFL-bound.

Jones shined after stepping into the lineup late last season to help lead the Buckeyes to a title in the inaugural College Football Playoff. He led the team to victories over Wisconsin, Alabama and Oregon, accounting for six touchdowns in the process.

The redshirt junior opened the 2015 campaign as the starter before getting replaced by J.T. Barrett. The logjam at quarterback, which also included Braxton Miller before he switched to wide receiver prior to the season, made it tough for Jones to fully showcase his talents to NFL talent evaluators.

Yet along with making his intentions clear about making the NFL jump, he stated this week that he didn't want to transfer as a "24-year-old college student," per Austin Ward of ESPN.

Perhaps now he's having second thoughts.

Jones is currently rated as the sixth-best quarterback in the 2016 draft class by CBS Sports. His overall rank of No. 81 from the outlet leaves him as a late second-round or early third-round selection. He could improve that during the draft process but probably not enough to sneak into the first round.

So the question is whether he's comfortable getting drafted in that range and trying to win a NFL starting job over time or if he wants another college season with hope of becoming a surefire first-rounder. Leaving Ohio State for a school where he'd be locked in as the starter would be the best path to do that.

Jones has until Jan. 18 to make a final decision about whether to enter the draft. The Buckeyes' season will end after their New Year's Day clash with Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl, which should give him a chance to take a step back and survey the landscape before making the call.