Ohio State may have been upset by the Miami Hurricanes during the CFP semifinals, but the Buckeyes still have one of the best prospects in college football. Several players have announced that they will be leaving the school to enter this year’s NFL draft, which means that they believe that they are finally ready to turn pro this year.
Six Ohio State players have announced their intention to enter the NFL draft this year, with some of them possibly getting drafted early. No. 1 is expected to go to Heisman winner and national champion Fernando Mendoza from the Indiana Hoosiers, but some could go with him in the first round.
Ohio State Players Entering 2026 NFL Draft
Wide Receiver Carnell Tate
Even though he is still a junior and has at least a year of eligibility left, Carnell Tate believes that he is ready to go pro. The Buckeyes wide receiver has had a standout season in 2025 with 51 receptions, 875 receiving yards and nine touchdowns. He also has 16 rushing yards on two carries as a senior.
Safety Caleb Downs
Ohio State had one of the best defenses in college football, and Caleb Downs is considered one of the team’s best defenders, and that is saying a lot. Downs may get drafted early because of his defensive prowess which has him with 68 total tackles, 45 solo and 23 assists, as well as one sack, two FF and two interceptions.
Defensive Tackle Kayden McDonald
Another premiere defender, he is also a junior who has chosen to go to the NFL early. The Georgia native has had 65 total tackles with 31 solo, 34 assists and two FFs. This year, he broke out as one of the best defensive linemen in college football and performed well even in the Buckeyes’ two defeats.
Linebacker Arvell Reese
This junior protector did not play much as a freshman, but he absolutely exploded in his junior year with 69 total tackles, 34 of them solo and 35 assists, with 6.5 sacks. One of his best games of the season was in that losing effort to Miami where he recorded seven total tackles.
Linebacker Sonny Styles
Another top-tier linebacker, he is now a senior who had 100 total tackles in his junior year and 83 as a senior. He also had one sack, one FF and one interception during his senior year, and he shined during that Big Ten Championship loss to Indiana with 12 tackles, seven of which were solo.
Tight End Max Klare
The NFL Draft Class of 2026 may not have a strong tight end contingent, but Max Klare is considered to be one of the best in the class, as he had 43 receptions on 448 receiving yards this year, scoring two touchdowns. He is still only a junior, so he has plenty of room to grow.
Read more:
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