Jalin Marshall Declares for 2016 NFL Draft: Latest Comments and Reaction

Ohio State's offensive exodus continued Monday when star wide receiver Jalin Marshall declared he will enter the 2016 NFL draft.

Marshall took to Twitter to make his announcement:

He joins running back Ezekiel Elliott, backup quarterback Cardale Jones and QB-turned-receiver Braxton Miller among others as the seventh underclassman to forego his final year and enter the draft, per Sam Cooper of Yahoo Sports.

Marshall burgeoned as the hybrid H-back in head coach Urban Meyer’s spread offense and was Jones’ top target in the Buckeyes’ national title run a year ago.

His role diminished in 2015 when Miller transitioned into the receiving corps, as he finished with 477 receiving yards and five touchdowns, with just two carries for 30 yards, down from his hefty 25 attempts for 145 yards on the ground a year ago.

Marshall still had glimpses of greatness, though, as shown by Brent Yarina of the Big Ten Network:

He'll leave two years of eligibility on the table, but perhaps he felt he'd reached his ceiling after last year's slight downgrade. 

At 5’11” and 205 pounds with vertical speed, he will be a great return specialist and should fit in as a reliable slot receiver on a team with an established aerial attack.

Marhsall's versatility will only enhance his stock, particularly given he played under Meyer, who has a track record of churning out NFL-ready talent.