Ezekiel Elliott had some strong words about his future after Ohio State’s loss to Michigan State Saturday.
The Buckeyes lost 17-14 and Elliott carried the ball just 12 times for 33 yards with one touchdown.
Eric Segar of Eleven Warriors reported Elliott saying he was hospitalized with a leg infection earlier in the week but that his leg was “100 percent” healthy for the game. He also let his feelings be known about the lack of chances he received in the pivotal game and made it known he’s headed for the NFL after the season ends.
Zeke Elliott: "I'm disappointed in the positions we were put in. I'm disappointed. I think I do deserve more than 11 carries. I really do."
— Eric Seger (@EricSeger33) November 22, 2015
Ezekiel Elliott: "This is my last game in The 'Shoe. There's no chance I'm coming back."
— Eric Seger (@EricSeger33) November 22, 2015
It’s clear Elliott is upset, and he has every right to be. A guy who had the nation’s longest 100-yard rushing streak (15 games) headed into Week 12 deserved more opportunities to make big plays for his team. Instead, he and the Buckeyes suffered through the worst offensive output of any game in the Urban Meyer era, gaining just 132 total yards.
Elliott will likely be a highly valued running back at the next level and should be selected in the first few rounds of the 2016 NFL Draft.