His 2,869 rushing yards rank 10th in school history, and he scored 33 touchdowns during his career.
His best season for the Buckeyes was in 2010, when he rushed for 1,155 yards and 16 touchdowns on 216 attempts, a 5.3 yards per carry average. He also caught 19 passes for 180 yards in 2010.
As a senior last season, he was named the team’s Most Valuable Player and served as a captain despite missing five games due to a suspension.
He joins a crowded group of running backs trying to take over for Cedric Benson, who left as a free agent.
Benson has been the Bengals’ leading back since the 2008 season, going for 4,176 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns over his four seasons in Cincinnati.
Also in the running back mix are free-agent pickups BenJarvus Green-Ellis from the New England Patriots and Aaron Brown — who played one game with the Detroit Lions last season, Bernard Scott, Brian Leonard and Cedric Peerman and rookie free agent signing Rodney Stewart.
The Bengals’ remaining unsigned draft picks are offensive guard Kevin Zeitler (first round) and third-rounders wide receiver Mohamed Sanu and defensive tackle Brandon Thompson.