After the 2023 season, there was a handful of Buckeyes who had tough decisions on their hands. Most of them came back and led the program to a College Football Playoff National Championship. Now, with eligibility exhausted (to go with a handful of juniors), there will be a healthy contingent of former Ohio State players at this year’s NFL Scouting Combine.
Last year, eight Ohio State players were featured and only four were eventually selected in April’s NFL Draft. This year, the Scouting Combine will return to Indianapolis from February 28 through March 3. With the single-draft record in sight, there will be 15 Buckeyes at this year’s Scouting Combine. If all 15 are drafted, it would tie Georgia’s 2022 mark.
Two Buckeyes vying for the NFL were not selected, however: tight end Gee Scott, Jr. and offensive lineman Josh Fryar.
According to NFLMockDraftDatabase, an aggregate site that pulls mock drafts from all over the internet and in print, the Buckeyes are currently well-represented with top-end talent. According to the draft experts, 10 Buckeyes are expected to be selected within the top 100 picks.
15 Buckeyes Headed to Scouting Combine
Top-40 Talents
Currently, Josh Simmons is expected to be the first Ohio State player off the NFL Draft board. The San Diego State transfer struggled early on but developed into what was about to be an All-American-type of season in 2024 before his injury. However, if his medical visits at the Scouting Combine come back clean, he’s expected to be one of the top offensive linemen in the draft.
Emeka Egbuka reminded the NFL crowd of his talent in 2024. While breaking the Ohio State career receptions mark, Egbuka regained that swagger from his sophomore year with 81 catches, 1,011 yards, and 10 touchdowns. As of now, he’s considered the third-best receiver in the draft.
One of the heroes of the College Football Playoff run, Jack Sawyer made himself plenty of money in 2024. Four-and-a-half of his nine sacks came in the first three rounds of the CFP. He will forever be in Ohio State lore for his strip sack on fourth down to seal the Cotton Bowl. The senior amassed 59 total tackles, nine tackles for loss, nine sacks, an interception, seven pass breakups, three forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, and two defensive scores.
Immediately following Sawyer is do-it-all lineman, Donovan Jackson. This year, Jackson started off the year injured and worked his way back on the field as the starting left guard. When Simmons went down with an injury, Jackson kicked out to left tackle and starred. In his three seasons, Jackson logged 1,314 pass-blocking snaps and allowed five sacks.
One of the biggest beneficiaries of returning, Tyleik Williams has fringe first-round grades on him. The six-foot-three, 370-pound defensive tackle has made a career out of flashy plays and ended the 2024 season with eight tackles for loss. Scouts currently view him as a prospect with a truckload of potential.
Potential Day Two Picks
Jaylahn Tuimoloau was the most improved player of the returning group. Before 2024, Tuimoloau had managed a total of 22 tackles for loss and 11 sacks over his first three seasons. In 2024, he totaled 21.5 tackles for loss and 12.5 sacks. Like Sawyer, six-and-a-half of those sacks came in the CFP run. He’s considered the 11th-best at his position. That’s not saying much as 12 edge rushers are in the top 50 in a loaded class.
Both running backs project as starters in the NFL. TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins are expected to be the third and fourth-best at the position. Both have what it takes to lead an offense with differing skill sets. Judkins is a downhill, physical back who can catch the ball if asked. Henderson could be more of a Jahmyr Gibbs-type with his home-run-hitting ability. As Chris Fowler put it, “Henderson can make a house call from anywhere.”
Question Marks
The most divisive Buckeye in the NFL Draft will be Will Howard. He’s talented, but Howard does not have those eye-popping traits NFL teams often look for. However, he showed that he can take care of the ball and distribute it anywhere on the field. His deep-ball improved this year and he can pull it down and run with it. He’s going to be endlessly mocked to the Raiders to reunite with Chip Kelly again until his name is called.
While his draft stock didn’t tank like Shaun Wade, Denzel Burke might have been better off declaring after 2023. He had some high-end play, particularly through the CFP. However, that first matchup with Oregon will stick in the minds of fans. Despite that game, he was solid this year and showed that he can play with anyone. In the rematch, Burke was targeted once and did not allow a catch.
Late-Round Contributors
NFL GMs make their money on late-round gems. Anyone can get a sure-fire player in with a top-10 pick but it takes skill to find a contributor on day three.
Lathan Ransom was one of the leaders of the defense and showed what he could do fully healthy. Currently, Ransom is considered a fourth-round pick. Despite that, he could be a day-one contributor in the NFL. He’s great at coming downhill in run support and punching the ball out. Ransom forced three fumbles in 2024 and six in his career. With a strong Combine, Ransom could find himself at the tail end of day two.
If there is any Ohio State NFL Draft prospect who could fly up draft boards, it’s Jordan Hancock. As a slot corner, Hancock did not have as many opportunities to shine as the outside corners did. Even then, in his two seasons as a starter, Hancock pulled in three interceptions and returned one 94 yards for a touchdown in 2023.
Seth McLaughlin came to Ohio State after being run out of Alabama and all he did was earn consensus All-American honors and win the Rimington Award as the top center in the country. He likely won’t fully work out at the Combine due to that Achilles injury. However, if a team is patient and works him back, McLaughlin as a day-three pick would be a steal.
Late Risers
Ty Hamilton broke out in 2024. With all of the focus on the other four defensive linemen, Hamilton had a career year with 51 tackles, six tackles for loss, three-and-a-half sacks, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. He had moments where he took over the game and physically dominated from his defensive tackle position.
NFL teams love captains and leaders of men. Cody Simon, the 2024 “Block O” recipient, checks all of the boxes. He’s currently considered as a seventh-round pick. With 113 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, seven sacks, seven pass breakups, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery, a team could do worse with a lottery pick at the end of the draft.
Main Image: Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK
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