Kiper sees lots of potential in Lattimore

After a class for the ages a year ago, Ohio State almost certainly won't have as many first-round picks in the 2017 NFL draft.

But ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr. said Thursday after posting his first mock draft that the Buckeyes should be well-represented this year as well.

Kiper had only two Ohio State players in the first round in his first mock draft. He projected cornerback Marshon Lattimore going No. 6 overall, to the New York Jets, and safety Malik Hooker heading to Washington with the 17th pick.

He described Lattimore, whose 2016 season was his only one as an OSU starter, as having the highest ceiling of any cornerback in the draft.

"Every time you watched him you saw a guy that could be a shutdown corner," Kiper said of Lattimore. "He's able to elevate his game and he just jumped out at you as a player. I'm not saying he's going to be a Darrelle Revis in his prime or Richard Sherman or all that, but he's got a chance to be one heck of a corner.

"I saw a similar skill set as I saw on Patrick Peterson coming out of LSU, that he could be that lockdown guy."

As for Hooker, Kiper said, "Malik is a center fielder with great ball skills. He's not the enforcer/tackler that a lot of these guys are."

Ohio State had five first-rounders last year and 12 players taken overall.

Kiper expects several Buckeyes to hear their names called on the second day of the draft, when the second and third rounds are conducted.

"(Linebacker) Raekwon McMillan should be a secondround pick," Kiper said. "(Cornerback Gareon) Conley should be a second-round pick. Curtis Samuel could go early second round."

Kiper said he has a third-round grade on senior center Pat Elflein.

Collier calls it quits

Quarterback Stephen Collier, who missed the 2016 season because of a knee injury, announced he will no longer play football.

In a first-person story for Landof10. com, Collier thanked Ohio State and said he enjoyed his Buckeyes experience despite his lack of playing time. Collier's only playing time came against Hawaii in 2015, when he took three snaps.

Collier earned his degree in December and said he will contribute to the program in a behind-the-scenes role.

Collier stepping away helps ease a roster crunch. The Buckeyes are still pursuing a few bluechip players before the signing period opens Feb. 1.