Eric Boggs
Ohio State fans knew this moment was coming. When a program consistently recruits and develops elite talent, the NFL draft is both a reward and a reality. This year, the Buckeyes saw five players elect to enter the 2026 NFL Draft early, all decisions that were expected and, from a long-term perspective, justified. At the same time, Ohio State quietly delivered one of the most important wins of the offseason by convincing seven draft-eligible starters to return, preserving experience, leadership, and continuity across both sides of the ball.
There were no shockwaves among the early entrants. Caleb Downs, Arvell Reese, Carnell Tate, and Kayden McDonald were never realistic candidates to return for another season. All four are widely viewed as first-round selections, with Downs and Reese frequently projected in the top 10 overall and Tate not far behind. McDonald’s unanimous All-American campaign in 2025 cemented his status as a likely first-rounder as well. For Ohio State fans, these departures sting emotionally but validate the program’s ability to develop elite, NFL-ready talent.
Max Klare was the lone early entrant who gave fans pause. Unlike the others, Klare was not projected as a first-round pick and could have improved his draft stock with another productive season in Columbus. Still, after four years of college football and a one-year stint at Ohio State, his decision to capitalize on his current value is understandable, even if it leaves the Buckeyes wishing for one more season of his steady presence.
Where this cycle truly turns positive is in who stayed. Ohio State successfully retained every other draft-eligible starter from last season, a significant achievement in an era defined by early declarations and constant roster churn. Brandon Inniss, Austin Siereveld, Luke Montgomery, Carson Hinzman, Kenyatta Jackson Jr., and Jermaine Mathews Jr. have all confirmed their returns, while Phillip Daniels’ absence from the NFL’s early entry list strongly signals his return as well.
From a development standpoint, this is a massive win. Siereveld and Montgomery have only one full season as starters under their belts and another year should elevate both their consistency and their draft stock. Hinzman, already experienced but projected as a late-round pick, now has a clear path to reshape his NFL outlook with a strong final season. Inniss, whose first year as a starter produced modest numbers, made the obvious and correct choice to return and refine his game.
Jackson’s decision may be the most impactful of all. Once viewed as a potential first-round talent, he would have likely settled into the middle rounds had he declared this year. By returning, he positions himself as the leader of Ohio State’s defensive line and gives himself a legitimate chance to reclaim elite draft status. Mathews, meanwhile, remains a rising talent with plenty of upside after just one year as a full-time starter.
Ohio State also officially turned the page on an accomplished senior class that exhausted its eligibility following the 2025 season. Sonny Styles headlines that group as a projected first-round pick and continues a trend of Buckeye defenders dominating draft boards. If Styles joins Downs, Reese, Tate, and McDonald in Round 1, Ohio State would tie its own school record with five first-round selections, a feat previously accomplished in 2006 and 2016. That level of representation underscores the program’s sustained excellence on the national stage.
That dominance is already showing up in early projections. Pro Football Focus’ latest 2026 NFL mock draft places five Buckeyes among the top 16 selections, accounting for nearly one-third of the top half of the first round. Reese, Tate, Downs, McDonald, and Styles are all projected as premium picks, reinforcing the idea that Ohio State’s losses to the draft are not a sign of decline, but of continued relevance at the highest level.
For Ohio State fans, the takeaway is clear. Yes, the Buckeyes are losing elite stars, and that reality never gets easier. But retaining seven draft-eligible starters while sending multiple first-round talents to the NFL represents the ideal balance. Ohio State isn’t rebuilding; it’s reloading, with a roster that still blends experience, leadership, and top-end talent heading into 2026.
For anyone wanting to stay on top of every departure and arrival, The OHIO Podcast has a Transfer Portal Tracker so that no one will miss any players leaving or coming to Ohio State via the transfer portal in 2026. Just click on the Tracker above and you will be taken to the portal hub.
