Like a well-run factory, the Ohio State Buckeyes have produced a ton of next-level talent in recent years. Their 2024 roster is made up of multiple high-level draft prospects, not just for the 2025 NFL Draft, but for the following years as well.
Ohio State Draft Prospects
Ohio State QB Will Howard NFL Draft Profile
Checking in at No. 10 on our top 10 2025 NFL Draft quarterback rankings, Will Howard is all over every NFL GM’s radar. Or, at least those who need a quarterback.
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Howard has all the NFL intangibles and makes NFL throws on the regular. He may not have the strongest arm in this class, but he has all the smarts and a full bag of tools at his disposal with his accuracy, anticipation, and mechanics.
He isn’t the top quarterback in the class, but he’ll hear his name called in April.
2025 NFL Draft Projection: Rounds 4-6
Ohio State RB TreVeyon Henderson NFL Draft Profile
A true dual-threat from the position, TreVeyon Henderson’s speed doesn’t get the credit it deserves somehow. He’s a dynamic athlete with the ball in his hands and is as elusive as a pass catcher as he is a runner.
Between the tackles or around the end, through the air, or simply as a wildcat QB, the ball just needs to be in his hands. He’ll plow through NFL defensive backs with his power or run past defensive front seven players with his speed.
2025 NFL Draft Projection: Rounds 3-6
Ohio State RB Quinshon Judkins NFL Draft Profile
The owner of some of the most elusive moves in all of college football, Quinshon Judkins has shown he can take over games during his time in college. After his two seasons in Ole Miss, Judkins has shown he can also play a complementary role, even as the de facto No. 1.
His all-around abilities already look like an NFL back and it’ll be soon that he’s terrifying NFL defenders in the open field.
2025 NFL Draft Projection: Rounds 2-5
Ohio State WR Emeka Egbuka NFL Draft Profile
Ranked No. 4 on our 2025 NFL Draft WR Rankings, Emeka Egbuka has taken a strange back seat in 2024 to a pair of underclassmen. Still, Egbuka is one of the most complete receivers in the 2025 NFL Draft, and him coming back to Columbus in 2024 proved that.
Now, four years into his career, Egbuka draws comparisons to his old teammates Chris Olave and Jaxon Smith-Ngjiba, both proving their worth in the pros today.
2025 NFL Draft Projection: Round 1
Ohio State WR Jeremiah Smith NFL Draft Profile
Let it be known that as a true freshman, Jeremiah Smith may even rank as a top-three receiver in the 2025 NFL Draft class if he were eligible. That is a class that includes Travis Hunter and Tetairoa McMillan, just to be clear.
Smith, at 6’3″ and 215 pounds, already has NFL size, and he has NFL hands to boot. His route tree is rounding into form and he’s dynamic at the catch point as he is along his route stems. He’s the complete package and college football fans should rejoice that they get him in college for at least two more seasons because he’s a top-five pick.
2027 NFL Draft Projection: Round 1
Ohio State WR Carnell Tate NFL Draft Profile
Lost on the depth chart with Egbuka and Smith, Carnell Tate isn’t lost on NFL scouts radars though. Tate stands 6’3″ and 191 pounds, often times playing bigger at the catch point and smaller on his routes.
He’s dynamic in the open field and has shown he can win outside against CB1s at an early age. Tate is not lost on our radar either, and projects as yet another first-round receiver from OSU.
2026 NFL Draft Projection: Round 1
Ohio State TE Gee Scott Jr. NFL Draft Profile
Not as prolific as perhaps his predecessors at the position, Gee Scott Jr. has all the attributes of an NFL tight end like his former teammates Cade Stover or Jeremy Ruckert. Scott is a sound blocker in all facets and has shown he can make plays in the open field if given the opportunity.
2025 NFL Draft Projection: Rounds 6-7/UDFA
Ohio State OT Josh Simmons NFL Draft Profile
Though he was lost for the season against Oregon, there’s hope for the future with Josh Simmons. He was playing as the best offensive lineman of the group prior to his injury and he projects as a top-tier tackle prospect if he’s healthy.
His status remains in the air due to the injury sustained in Week 7, but if he returns, he’ll do himself a favor for the 2026 NFL Draft.
2026 NFL Draft Projection: Rounds 2-6
Ohio State OG Donovan Jackson NFL Draft Profile
It took him some time to get back to his playing speed after returning to the action in Week 4 against Marshall, but Donovan Jackson has looked more like himself in the ensuing weeks. At his best, Jackson is a stalwart inside protector and a mover on the ground.
Had he entered the draft last year, he would likely have been a Day 2-3 pick, and unless he dominates the pre-draft process, that’s still his ceiling.
2025 NFL Draft Projection: Rounds 3-6
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Ohio State C Seth McLaughlin NFL Draft Profile
After four seasons at Alabama, Seth McLaughlin transferred to Ohio State for one final swing at the plate. He’s been solid in 2024, not quite as dominant on the ground, but certainly one of the better pass-protecting interior lineman in the Big Ten.
He’s got a great all-around game with plenty of reps against top-tier players in his career. It’s not a glamorous selection, but McLaughlin has the make-up of a surefire starter at the next level.
2025 NFL Draft Projection: Rounds 4-6
Ohio State OT Josh Fryar NFL Draft Profile
The ceiling was set sky-high for Josh Fryar entering the 2024 season. After a sluggish stretch, he’ll have to rebound down the back half of OSU’s season to reclaim that fame. As it stands right now, Fryar’s shown his inability to move against a faster rusher and struggled to maintain his prowess when on the move.
He’s got the fundamentals, but he may lack the top-end attributes of a stalwart NFL tackle.
2025 NFL Draft Projection: Rounds 5-7
Ohio State DE Jack Sawyer NFL Draft Profile
He’s been penciled in as a high draft pick since he was terrorizing OCC quarterbacks at Pickerington North and Jack Sawyer didn’t let a slow start to his Ohio State career stop that dream. In two seasons as a full-time starter, Sawyer has shown he can fly to the quarterback with speed or bull rush through tackles with strength.
He’s a complete package on the outside and better in a 4-3 defensive front where he can pin his ears back and get upfield. Sawyer isn’t quite the athlete that some of the previous edge rushers from Columbus are, but he wins in different manners.
2025 NFL Draft Projection: Rounds 1-3
Ohio State DE JT Tuimoloau NFL Draft Profile
A former heralded recruit, JT Tuimoloau’s college career has been an interesting journey. He struggled as a freshman, there’s no denying that, but on the flip side, there’s no denying that he has been dynamic ever since.
In three years as a starter, Tuimoloau has shown he can play in space, play heads-up centers, and wreak havoc on the outside. He’s a versatile scheme option for an NFL defense that a coordinator would love to deploy in a variety of alignments.
2025 NFL Draft Projection: Rounds 2-4
Ohio State DT Ty Hamilton NFL Draft Profile
As a rotational player through his first four seasons, Ty Hamilton has found his footing the past two seasons. The production in the stat sheet hasn’t been there in 2024, but Hamilton has influenced the offensive gameplan in other ways.
He crowds throwing lanes and plays just as well from a variety of alignments. Hamilton is likely too slow off the line to play off the edge, and may lack some strength to play in the middle right away, but he has a home on an NFL roster.
2025 NFL Draft Projection: Rounds 5-7
Ohio State DT Tyleik Williams NFL Draft Profile
After an injury sidelined him for a few weeks, Tyleik Williams has been back in recent weeks as a man possessed. He’s ripping through double teams or pushing linemen back into the intended rushing lanes while also showcasing his patented pass-rush moves.
Tyleik is a massive man in the middle and should hear his name called early if he can continue his hot streak through the end of the season and the pre-draft process.
2025 NFL Draft Projection: Rounds 3-5
Ohio State LB Sonny Styles NFL Draft Profile
Sonny Styles has come into his own as a three-down linebacker over the past two seasons as the starter. He plays as fast as a safety at times, but hits as hard as a mike linebacker should at others.
Styles has terrific skills when he comes downhill in run defense, and has shown flashes of his coverage abilities. He’ll have to hone those in as the season progresses, or ultimately he decides to return for another year, as that may do him a favor.
2026 NFL Draft Projection: Rounds 4-6
Ohio State LB Cody Simon NFL Draft Profile
After five years with Ohio State, Cody Simon’s time has been now and he’s on pace for a career year in several defensive categories. At 6’2″ and 235, he’s got great size and a better frame for the next level.
He’s a great athlete and can be a pivotal member of a defensive front seven in pass-rush situations with his proven skills in that regard. Simon may not be the top pick of off-ball linebackers, but he’s got the goods to get a look late on Day 3.
2025 NFL Draft Projection: Rounds 5-7
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Ohio State S Caleb Downs NFL Draft Profile
He’s not quite eligible, but you better believe NFL teams would want Caleb Downs on their rosters right now if he were. There are players with instincts, and there is Downs.
He’s a unique athlete with his speed, size, and burst that is unrivaled in college football. Downs will impact the coverage game as much as he’ll find the correct time to blitz and he’s an ideal slot defender at the next level, playing a hybrid role as a strong safety. That is, however, if an NFL team doesn’t want him to roam free at free safety.
Either way, his positional versatility and elite abilities in coverage from either position will make him a surefire first-round selection.
2026 NFL Draft Projection: Round 1
Ohio State CB Davison Igbinosun NFL Draft Profile
After a year at Ole Miss and now two at Ohio State, Davison Igbinosun has seen some talented receivers in his coverage. And he’s done a great job of limiting too many big plays in each of those seasons.
For Igbinosun, 2024 has been his best season in coverage, and his size allows him to make up for any lost points of separation due to improper technique. He’s a fringe draft prospect now, and another year in Columbus could do wonders.
2026 NFL Draft Projection: Rounds 4-6
Ohio State CB Denzel Burke NFL Draft Profile
A four-year starter, Denzel Burke has had quite the ride for Ohio State. After flashing as a true freshman, Burke saw struggles in his sophomore season before rebounding in 2023.
Now, in his fourth season, Burke has shown to have a quick memory and already has a career-high in interceptions. He’s got great coverage skills and can work well moving forward or backward in the process.
Burke is no perfect prospect, but his moxie and make-up are that of a CB1 in the NFL, and until proven otherwise, he’ll be drafted as one.
2025 NFL Draft Projection: Rounds 1-3
Ohio State DB Jordan Hancock NFL Draft Profile
The past two seasons have been terrific for Jordan Hancock, opposite Burke. He’s shown he can play multiple positions on the Ohio State defense, but has found a home playing in coverage situations from the inside.
That is a new vital role on NFL defenses and there’s no reason Hancock can’t start at the next level as a CB3 with his size, speed, and athleticism to cover tight ends, slot receivers, or running backs in the flats.
2025 NFL Draft Projection: Rounds 3-6
Ohio State S Lathan Ransom NFL Draft Profile
A heavy hitter, Lathan Ransom has raised his draft platform the most of all OSU defenders in 2024. He’s been all over the field and has had an impact in every facet.
Ransom can blitz like a weakside linebacker, cover like a lockdown corner, and roam the field like a free safety of old. His instincts and athleticism are on another level, as he’s shown in 2024, and he’s played himself into the top-tier of safeties for this class.
2025 NFL Draft Projection: Rounds 2-4
Ohio State CB Jermaine Mathews Jr. NFL Draft Profile
He’s not eligible and not even starting full-time, but when Jermaine Mathews Jr. is on the field, you can tell. Mathews has great instincts and even better top-end traits as an athlete to cover any kind of receiver on the outside despite standing 5’11” and only 189.
Mathews will likely get the nod as a starter next season and could put himself further on the map for the 2026 NFL Draft in the process.
2026 NFL Draft Projection: Rounds 2-6
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