By: John Cupps (BuckeyeCountry.net) –
According to ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg, Ohio State’s Thaddeus Gibson will forgo his senior season and declare his eligibility for the NFL draft, while two other Buckeyes decided to return for prescription online the 2010 season.   Defensive lineman Cameron Heyward and cornerback Chimdi Chekwa will return in the fall to help anchor the team.

“I am not leaving the Buckeye family,” Gibson said in statement released through Ohio State’s sports information office. “I wish the team the very best in the upcoming years and I thank all my teammates for all their support. I will keep in touch with my Buckeye family and I love them all. I will always bleed scarlet and gray.”

Gibson recorded 82 tackles during his three years with the Buckeyes. He led the team with 13 tackles for losses this season, including four sacks. He also recovered two fumbles, forced two fumbles and had an interception. He had three sacks — one short of the Ohio State record — and recovered a fumble as the Buckeyes beat Minnesota to start a six-game winning streak to end the season.

A 6-foot-2, 240-pounder from Euclid, Ohio, Gibson started 23 games at Ohio State. He is scheduled to graduate in June with a bachelor’s degree in African-American Studies.

Also in a statement released through OSU, Heyward, son of the late former NFL running back Craig “Ironhead” Heyward, said he was excited about returning to play on the Buckeye team next season.

“I am excited about next season and am looking forward to being one of the senior leaders of our team. I sat down and talked at length with my family about my situation, and they totally support my decision. I’ve been blessed to this point. I am just having fun being a college student.”

Heyward earned second-team All-Big Ten honors and led the team with 7.5 sacks this season. He had 11 tackles for loss and a fumble recovery for a touchdown against Michigan.

Checkwa, who recorded 43 tackles, an interception and eight passes defended this season, released a state as well through the university announcing he would return.

“I am not ready to leave Ohio State, and I am looking forward to my senior season. I prayed about this decision and talked about it with my parents, and I know this is the right decision for me.”

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