Ohio State cornerback Davison Igbinosun still has his sights set on the NFL, but not right away.

Igbinosun, who started in the Buckeyes’ secondary for the last two seasons, decided not to enter this year’s NFL draft. Envisioned as a Day 2 selection if he had gone pro, the junior cited multiple motivations for staying at Ohio State, which is fresh off winning the national championship on Monday.

The deadline for early entry into the draft for Notre Dame and Ohio State players was Friday.

Chosen an All-Big Ten honorable mention in both of his seasons with the Buckeyes, Igbinosun told ESPN he relishes “the opportunity to lead and do it all over again. And have a bigger role as a leader, as more is going to be expected of me as a senior.”

There is also the expectation of an eventual call by the NFL. Igbinosun added that he is “coming back to school to be a first-round pick.”

Toward that end, Igbinosun acknowledged the need to cut down on penalties. He was whistled for 16 penalties in coverage, the most by a cornerback in college football during the 2024-25 campaign, according to ESPN.

He will be one of just three returning starters on defense for the Buckeyes.

In 29 games for Ohio State, Igbinosun has 104 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions, 16 passes defensed and three fumble recoveries.

–Field Level Media