It's Natty or Bust for Ohio State in 2024 -

It’s Natty or Bust for Ohio State in 2024

In January, Ohio State Buckeyes cornerback Denzel Burke announced he would be returning to Ohio State for one more season rather than declaring for this April’s NFL Draft. Burke’s decision was driven by his desire to win a national championship and to be a top 10 pick when he eventually goes to the NFL. “That’s a big thing,” Burke said. “Especially for me, man. I want to be a top-10 pick. But not only that, I want to have something to show for it down the road. To be able to show my kids and my family that while I was at Ohio State, we won something. That’s playing a big factor for me.”

Burke’s commitment to Ohio State has only intensified his drive for excellence. Speaking to reporters after Ohio State’s second spring practice, Burke doubled down on his national championship aspirations and his goal to be the first cornerback taken in the 2025 NFL Draft. “Diamonds are built under pressure,” Burke declared. “We’re not worried about a thing. We trust in our technique, ourselves, our team, and our coaches. … No excuses, man, we’ve got to win it all. We’ve been preaching that every single day.”

This “natty or bust” mindset is echoed by new Ohio State quarterback Will Howard. Transferring from Kansas State, Howard is expected to lead the Buckeyes when they open their regular season against Akron on Aug. 31. “For us, it’s natty or bust,” Howard boldly stated in an interview with Football Scoop. “I mean, there’s no doubt in my mind.”

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While Ohio State boasts arguably the most talented roster in the country heading into the 2024 season, the quarterback position remains a potential concern. Despite the talent, there are questions about whether any of the quarterbacks can truly lead the team to a national title. Howard had a solid season at Kansas State, throwing for 2,643 yards, 24 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions while completing 61.3 percent of his passes in 2023. He also rushed for 351 yards and nine scores.

“We have all the talent. We have all the intangibles,” Howard added. “Now, we’ve just got to go do it. I’m tired of hearing how talented we are and how good our team is. It’s about the work ethic and how we go to work every single day, and I think we’re doing the things that we need to put ourselves in that position to be there at the end of the year, and now we’ve just got to go do it.”

As the Buckeyes prepare for the 2024 season, it’s clear that the pressure is on. The team understands that anything short of a championship will be a disappointment. With the talent they have and the determination of players like Burke and Howard, Ohio State looks poised for a dominant season. Buckeye fans, get ready—this year, it’s “natty or bust” for Ohio State, and the team is laser-focused on bringing home the national title.