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DT Johnathan "Big Hank" Hankins (Dallas Cowboys)

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Big expectations for Buckeyes' 'Big Hank'
May, 30, 2012
By Adam Rittenberg | ESPN.com

Johnathan Hankins has the least creative and most appropriate nickname on Ohio State's team: Big Hank.

The term big has followed Hankins from the moment he set (big) foot on Ohio State's campus. Even though Hankins has slimmed down significantly during his Buckeyes career -- he now checks in at 6-foot-3, 320 pounds -- the junior defensive tackle has a tough time escaping talk about his size. He's a big man with big-time skills.

Entering the 2012 season, he also has big expectations placed on his ... very big shoulders.

ncf_g_johnhankins_es_300.jpg

Eric Francis/Getty Images
Ohio State defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins, 52, has the potential to be an elite NFL prospect.

When ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr., issued his first Big Board for the 2013 NFL draft, Hankins was the first Big Ten player listed, at the No. 11 overall selection. Although Hankins has started just one season for the Buckeyes and didn't earn first- or second-team All-Big Ten honors in 2011, his next-level potential is obvious, even to more decorated members of Ohio State's defensive line.

"His ceiling's through the roof," Buckeyes defensive lineman John Simon told ESPN.com. "He's a playmaker for us, a big-time player. You're going to need two guys to take him up. With his ability and his size and how quick he moves for his size, he's a dual threat."

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http://espn.go.com/blog/bigten/post/_/id/50762/big-expectations-for-buckeyes-big-hank
 
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College football: Slimmer Hankins is still a big force for Buckeyes
Published: Monday, June 18, 2012
By John Kampf
[email protected]
@JKBuckeyes

Could the 2013 season be the last for Johnathan Hankins in an Ohio State football jersey?

Hankins doubts it, but stranger things have happened than a big, powerful, game-changing defensive tackle soaring up the draft boards and putting himself in position for a substantial payday in the NFL.

"No," said Hankins recently, appearing somewhat embarrassed that someone had the idea he might consider hopping to the NFL after the 2012 season. "My goal when I got here was to win a national championship. I think next year, my senior year, I think we have a good chance to win it."

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http://news-herald.com/articles/2012/06/18/sports/nh5611568.txt
 
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Jim Naveau: Hankins says title pursuit keeps him a Buckeye
July 11, 2012
By Jim Naveau

COLUMBUS ? They all say it. They say it right up until the day they announce they?re leaving for the NFL.

If you lined up all the Ohio State football players who said they planned to stay for four years then left early, it would probably stretch from the 50-yard line at Ohio Stadium to one of the end zones.

So, if you want to be skeptical when Ohio State junior defensive lineman Johnathan Hankins says he will be back in Columbus for two more years, you can do that.

ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. recently projected the 6-4, 320-pound Hankins as the No. 11 choice in the 2013 NFL draft and several other mock drafts have rated him a top 10 player.

Even though being drafted that high would mean big money for the big man after his junior season, he says he?s not interested, except in one case.

?If I?m projected to be the top overall pick, then I might have to go, know what I?m saying. But if not, I?m going to stay with my teammates and enjoy my life at Ohio State,? he said.

?I really want to win a national championship. I think this year we?d have a chance of winning it but we can?t play in it. I?m going to stay here until I win a national championship. That?s my plan.?

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http://varsity.limaohio.com/articles/keeps-9030-naveau-buckeye.html
 
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I hope he means what he says and stays another year if he truly breaks out this season. He could be the main cog in a NC run next year and finally knocking off the SEC supremacy. And also providing great mentorship to the young pups on the d line.
 
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If Big Hank has a big payday awaiting him at the end of this season, he needs to cash out. After watching Sullinger and Buford come back only to have their stock plummet, I feel much differently now than I did a year ago.

Take care of your family young man.
 
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Dryden;2178107; said:
If Big Hank has a big payday awaiting him at the end of this season, he needs to cash out. After watching Sullinger and Buford come back only to have their stock plummet, I feel much differently now than I did a year ago.

Take care of your family young man.
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I agree (although I don't think football draft stock is comparable to basketball at all), if he is a first round pick it is the smartest decision to go pro. I would not hold it against him in the least and would wish him the best of luck.

Then again, if he feels something special in the air under a new head coach in Columbus and wants to come back to win a championship...

doss.jpg


... I wish him the best of luck in that as well.
 
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Top-five prospects for the 2013 NFL Draft
*Indicates underclassman

1. DT Johnathan Hankins (6-3, 315)*
Usually wide-bodied players that weigh around 330 pounds are more run stuffers than pass rushers, but Hankins is both. He had a breakout sophomore season last year and firmly put his name on the NFL radar as a future top-10 overall pick with some more development. Hankins, who grew up near Detroit as a Wolverines fan, did the unthinkable and picked the Buckeyes over Michigan out of high school and was one of Ohio State's top reserves as a true freshman in 2010. He became a starter last season as a sophomore and flashed special ability, finishing with 67 tackles, 11 tackles for loss and three sacks, earning All-Big Ten honorable mention honors. Players his size usually line up primarily at nose tackle, but Ohio State uses Hankins all over the line, both inside and on the edges. He has a naturally wide frame and carries his weight surprisingly well with quick feet and natural body control. Hankins does a nice job working in the gaps and splitting double-teams while still finding ways to be productive and collapse the pocket. He does a nice job sniffing out plays with the change of direction skills and loose hips to quickly adjust his momentum. Listed at 335 pounds last season, Hankins has lost nearly 20 pounds and should be even more mobile as a junior with his relentless motor, but still needs to develop his technique and secondary moves. He is a smart, coachable football player with a good head on his shoulders, but has room to improve his read/react skills and has only one year of starting experience in college. Hankins, who was best friends in high school with Michigan State star pass rusher William Gholston, will try and be the first Buckeyes defensive tackle taken in the top 10 since Dan "Big Daddy" Wilkinson, who was taken first overall in 1994. And if the first overall pick next April isn't a quarterback, it's a realistic possibility that Hankins' name could be called first in the 2013 NFL Draft -- if he declares early, that is.
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http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/blog/rob-rang/19761424/2013-nfl-draft-ohio-state-preview
 
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