Despite predictions he would easily be a first-10 pick in the NFL Draft, Ohio State junior linebacker James Laurinaitis has opted to return for his senior year much to the delight of Buckeye fans heartbroken in the aftermath of the team’s second consecutive National Championship disappointment.
Laurinaitis’ decision means coach Jim Tressel will enjoy the luxury of returning 18 starters next year, more than he ever has in his seven-year tenure at OSU. According to The Columbus Dispatch yesterday, in choosing to return to the scarlet and gray, Laurinaitis effectively “gave up, or at least deferred, approximately $15 million.”
Although we here at The Lantern make it our professional aim to remain neutral and objective regarding collegiate athletics, we feel we can ably state that Laurinaitis’ decision is freakin’ awesome and that he should be commended for his totally righteous commitment and devotion to his teammates and his fans.
