Cooper Says Smith Leaving Ohio St. for NFL

Ohio State Coach John Cooper says tailback Robert Smith will be leaving the Buckeyes for the NFL.

The Cleveland Plain Dealer reported Sunday that Cooper found out about Smith’s plans after the Buckeyes lost, 21-14, to Georgia in the Florida Citrus Bowl on New Year’s Day.

“Robert talked to me very briefly after the game and told me he was going to leave,” Cooper said Saturday.

Smith declined to confirm his plans, the Plain Dealer said.

“There will be a statement on Monday issued through the university,” Smith told the Plain Dealer. “I won’t have anything more to say about it all week.”

Smith was voted the Buckeyes’ top offensive player in the Citrus Bowl after rushing for 112 yards and two touchdowns.

Collegiate underclassmen must notify the NFL by Wednesday of their desire to be eligible for the April draft.

Smith, who has two seasons of college eligibility remaining, led Ohio State with 819 yards rushing and 10 touchdowns despite injuries this season.

He rushed for more than 100 yards in four of his last five games, gaining 596 yards and scoring eight touchdowns over that span.