“I want to thank my teammates, my coaches, my teachers and the academic advisors for all they have done, and I definitely want to thank the Buckeye fans for all their support, Wells said in a statement. Ohio State has become like a family to me, and it will always be that way. But in the best interest of my family, it’s time to move on and take a chance at fulfilling my lifetime dream of playing in the NFL.”

And just like that Chris “Beanie” Wells will forgo his senior season and enter the 2009 NFL Draft.

Beanie Wells leaves Ohio State as the school’s 4th All-Time Leading Rusher and has been one of the most clutch performers in school history, especially when it counts most in the Michigan Game. During his three-year career, the Akron-native totaled 3, 382 yards on 585 carries and 30 touchdowns. he entered this season as a front-runner for the Heisman Trophy, but an injury in the first game of the season caused him to miss time. Beanie bounced back with a solid season, though rushing for 1, 197 yards and 8 touchdowns. The injury-prone tag will stick with him, though, and will likely hurt his draft stock, at least in the current time.

I think Beanie is clearly the best running back in college football, let alone this draft. He brings a combination of great size (6′1″ 237 lbs.), speed (said to be 4.4), and strength that is needed to be a successful running back in the NFL. I remember two years ago a certain hyped running back was labeled injury-prone and for that his draft stock slipped from the possible number 1 pick to the 7th overall pick. He would have not been 7th had he not had great individual workouts and was even labeled by some to fall out of the top 15. His name is Adrien Peterson and he is the NFL’s leading rusher in his second year. I see Beanie’s situation very similar to AP’s and, while I think Beanie will not be as quickly successful as Peterson was, I think whoever drafts him is getting a very, very good running back.

Beanie: Thanks for all the memories, stiff-arms, leaps over defenders, big runs, jukes, and most importantly, 3 PAIRS OF GOLD PANTS. You are one of the greatest Buckeyes EVER and will never be forgotten. Good Luck in the NFL.