In this Aug. 7, 2008 file photo, Ohio State linebacker James Laurinaitis (33) smiles as he waits for a football team photo to be taken in Columbus, Ohio. When Ohio State coach Jim Tressel announced last December that 13 Buckeyes were at least considering jumping into the NFL draft a year early, it sent shock waves through the team's fan base. Within a month, only one of those _ defensive lineman Vern Gholston _ had actually taken that step. That left a lot of players looking ahead to their final year of college instead of back on what their lives could have been.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) _ When Ohio State coach Jim Tressel announced last December that 13 Buckeyes were considering jumping into the NFL draft a year early, it sent shock waves through the team's fan base.



Within a month, only one of those — defensive lineman Vern Gholston — had actually taken that step. That left a lot of players looking ahead to their final year of college instead of back on what their lives could have been.



Linebacker Marcus Freeman remembers when the full impact of his decision to stay really hit him.



"Those times when you're looking at your bank (account) and you ain't got much money," he said, laughing.



The returnees include many of the best players for the second-ranked Buckeyes, who open their season Saturday against Youngstown State.



When reaching their decision, they had to evaluate the risk of injury, their financial situation, what their best friends were doing and how good the returning team would be. They labored over the pros and cons with family members, girlfriends, teammates and coaches.



Once they told the NFL that they were no longer contemplating making themselves available for the NFL draft, there was no turning back.



"Of course, you think, 'Wow. I could've had a lot of money!'" said cornerback Malcolm Jenkins. "But at the same time I don't regret it at all because that time will still come.