a

Ohio State junior cornerback Jeff Okudah (1) runs onto the field before the start of the Fiesta Bowl against Clemson Dec. 28. Ohio State lost 29-23. Credit: Cori Wade | Assistant Photo Editor

Jeff Okudah fielded questions all season about his potential to be a high first-round draft pick.

Now the question becomes how high, as the junior cornerback announced he will forego his final year of eligibility at Ohio State and declare for the NFL Draft Wednesday on social media.

“You got to soak in every moment that you can, because you don’t know if it’s going to be your last football game,” Okudah said before the Fiesta Bowl.

It turns out Ohio State’s 29-23 loss to Clemson in the College Football Playoff semifinal was Okudah’s final game in scarlet and gray, the only loss in a campaign where Okudah led the Buckeyes with three interceptions and nine passes defended — each good for third-most in the Big Ten.

Not only was Okudah a first team All-Big Ten selection, but he was a first team Associated Press All-American and finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award — given to the nation’s top defensive back.

Okudah is projected as a top 10 pick, and assuming he’s the first Ohio State defensive back selected, he would become the sixth Buckeye defensive back selected in the past five drafts.