April 28, 2012

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Ohio State center running back Dan "Boom" Herron and defensive back/special teams warrior Nate Ebner were each selected on Day 3 of the 2012 NFL Draft. Herron was taken in the sixth round by the Cincinnati Bengals and Ebner was taken six picks later in the sixth round - the 197th overall pick - by the New England Patriots.

Ohio State had four players selected in this draft, after offensive tackle Mike Adams was a second-round pick on Friday by Pittsburgh and wide receiver DeVier Posey was taken in the third round Friday by the Houston Texans.

Herron, 5-10 and 213 pounds, spent five seasons with the Buckeyes and was a four-year letterman (2008-11). He was named a team captain for the 2011 season by a vote of his peers although playing in only seven games. He was also named the team's most valuable player in 2011. He rushed for 100 yards in each of his first three games of the season - all Ohio State wins - with a high of 160 in the win over Wisconsin, and he finished the season with 675 yards rushing and three touchdowns.

Herron had 2,869 career rushing yards, 44 career receptions and 33 touchdowns scored. He was twice honored as the Buckeyes' Rex Kern Award winner as the team's top offensive back (2009 and 2010). He graduated in December 2011 with a degree in African-American studies.

Ebner didn't play high school football - he was a rugby player in high school and still is a world-class rugby player - yet he was such a terrific athlete and had such a physical nature that he made the Ohio State team as a walk-on three years ago and he finished his career on scholarship. He was voted by his teammates as the team's most inspirational player and was presented with the Bo Rein Award at the end of the 2011 season. He also picked up the Ike Kelley Award in 2011 as the team's outstanding special teams player. He had 11 tackles, primarily on special teams, this past season and he did record one quarterback sack.