Report: Ohio State RB to finish career in the MAC

Warren Ball signed with Ohio State as a four-star recruit out of Columbus DeSales in 2012. 

Per a report from the Akron Beacon Journal on Friday morning, he will finish his career at Akron. 

After redshirting with a foot injury in 2012, Ball played in 30 games over the last three seasons and was identified by the university to be among the players taking part in Senior Day activities last fall. 

He had 31 carries for 189 yards during his time playing for the Scarlet and Gray. 

With Ball's exit, Urban Meyer's first recruiting class at Ohio State is nearly done. 

Pat Elflein, who is already a two-year starter on the offensive line, and Bri'onte Dunn are the only players left on the active roster. 

Dunn was a five-star prospect coming out of Canton GlenOak who has not had the anticipated impact for the Buckeyes yet. 

He figures to be in the mix along with redshirt freshman Mike Weber and true freshman Antonio Williams to replace Big Ten Running Back of the Year Ezekiel Elliott this season. 

With Dunn's status still pending, Meyer's first class has so far produced nine starters out of 24 signees. 

None have been drafted yet, but that will change in April when players such as Adolphus Washington, Michael Thomas, Taylor Decker, Joshua Perry, Tyvis Powell and Noah Spence are likely to hear their names called by NFL teams. 

In addition to the nine starters, 10 of the 2012 signees have transferred, been kicked off the team or both while four have retired for medical reasons. 

By comparison, Meyer's 2013 class has already produced 11 starters with several more players in line to move into the lineup this year. 

Ball was one of more than a dozen players who committed to Ohio State before Meyer was hired and still signed with the Buckeyes in 2012.