Ohio State football: Star CB Denzel Burke to return for 2024
Ohio State football defensive back Denzel Burke announced on X (formerly known as Twitter) that he will return to Columbus for his senior season in 2024, thus, not entering the 2024 NFL Draft.
Burke was a four-star prospect (according to 247Sports) out of Saguaro High School in Scottsdale, Ariz. Burke arrived at Ohio State in 2021 and started all 13 games for the Buckeyes.
As a freshman, Burke tallied 37 tackles (career-high), 12 passes defended and was a third-team All-Big Ten selection. In his sophomore year (2022), the Ohio State defensive back racked up 34 tackles and had five passes defended. In 2023, Burke garnered 24 total tackles, an interception, and eight passes defended, respectively.
Chasing Legacy and Greatness. They are going to remember my name. Thank you God!! pic.twitter.com/83fwiHextj
— Denzel Burke (@King10Burke) January 10, 2024
Burke was a key part of an Ohio State defense that ranked first in the nation in passing defense (5.05 per pass allowed), respectively. The Buckeyes will need him back if they're going to try and upend Michigan atop the Big Ten next year and reclaim that conference supremacy. It's not going to be easy, especially when you consider that the Wolverines are fresh off a national title.
Ohio State head coach Ryan Day and the Buckeyes look to build an improved roster to contend in the expanding Big Ten conference in 2024, as they recently signed former Kansas State quarterback Will Howard via the transfer portal.
Returning Burke was a big win for the Buckeyes.