Marshon Lattimore is the latest member of Ohio State’s Silver Bullets defense to leave early and enter the NFL Draft.
Lattimore made the announcement on Twitter Wednesday, saying “it’s been a pleasure to play at the best program in the country.”
Lattimore was First team All-Big Ten by the coaches and second team by the media in the 2016 season. He ranked second on the team and sixth in the Big Ten in interceptions with four.
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Here's a breakdown of who's coming back and who's leaving:
Coming Back
J.T. Barrett: The junior quarterback was the first Buckeye to say he would return for 2017.
“I'm coming back for my senior year. Much love to Buckeye Nation and thank God for the blessings,” Barrett posted.
During his junior year, Barrett won the 2016 Chicago Tribune Silver Football award, which is awarded to the Big Ten’s most valuable player.
He threw for 2,555 yards, rushed for 845 and was responsible for 33 touchdowns during the 2016 season.
Jalyn Holmes: After seeing some of the top defensive players go, defensive end Jalyn Holmes announced he would return to be a leader for the Silver Bullets this fall.
Holmes, a Virginia native, had 33 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss in 2016 and earned honorable mention All-Big-Ten in 2016.
Tyquan Lewis: Joining Holmes, Lewis posted he was "still hungry for more" and would be coming back to Ohio State.
Lewis was named the Big Ten's Smith-Brown Defensive Lineman of the Year in 2016.
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Going Pro
Malik Hooker: The sophomore safety announced he would be going into the draft the day after the Buckeyes' loss in the Fiesta Bowl.
"I have talked with my family and we have decided its best for me to forgo my remaining two years of eligibility and declare for the 2017 NFL draft," Hooker posted.
Gareon Conley: The junior cornerback joined his secondary teammate by announcing his departure January 3.
“I feel like the past four years have really expanded and opened my mind and made me grow as a student, an athlete and a man! It's been an honor to play as a buckeye and a silver bullet and also to be a part of the great secondary this past year,” Conley’s post read.
Raekwon McMillan: A day after losing a pair of starters on the defensive side, McMillan also said he would be leaving Columbus.
In a tweet sent Wednesday, McMillan said it was a difficult decision. He thanked ‘Buckeye Nation’ for the incredible experience the last few years and said he “wished we could have got the job done” this season.
McMillan was First Team All-Big Ten in 2016 and Second team All-America by the Associated Press, Walter Camp, USA Today, The Sporting News, Sports Illustrated and Fox Sports.
Noah Brown: Wide receiver Noah Brown announced his decision to forgo his final year with the team and enter the 2017 NFL draft January 7.
In a tweet, Brown thanked "everyone at the Ohio State University and Buckeye Nation for the best experience (he) could ever ask for."
Brown finished with more than 400 receiving yards and seven touchdowns this past season.
Curtis Samuel: Ohio State's standout H-back announced January 9 that he would be making the leap to the NFL.
In the tweet, Samuel reflected on his (and the Buckeyes') accomplishments over the last three years: 'beating TTUN three times, making it to the College Football Playoff in 2016 and winning a national title in 2014.'
Samuel was the only player in the nation with at least 700 rushing and 700 receiving yards.
