Eric Boggs
The Ohio State pipeline to professional football added a new and exciting chapter last week as the Columbus Aviators selected multiple former Buckeyes in the UFL Draft, giving fans in central Ohio a chance to watch familiar names continue their careers at home. Tight end Gee Scott Jr. and offensive lineman Matthew Jones were both selected by Columbus, returning to the city where their college careers began and reinforcing the Aviators’ early identity as a team closely connected to Ohio State football. For Buckeye fans, it is a natural and welcome extension of the program’s reach, one that keeps former players visible and competing in front of a passionate local fan base.
Scott and Jones join a growing list of former Buckeyes on UFL rosters following the 2026 draft. Both players arrive in Columbus looking for fresh opportunities after spending time on NFL rosters and practice squads. Jones, who went undrafted in 2024, earned chances with the Miami Dolphins and Arizona Cardinals before landing in the UFL, while Scott spent last season with the New England Patriots and Washington Commanders organizations. Their selection during the free agent portion of the draft reflects the Aviators’ commitment to building around players with strong Ohio ties and untapped potential. Columbus also holds the right of first refusal for future Ohio State free agents, meaning more Buckeyes could find their way home as the season unfolds.
Elsewhere in the draft, former Ohio State defensive tackle Antwuan Jackson Jr. was selected by the Dallas Renegades, continuing a UFL career that began in 2023, while Shaun Wade and Nicholas Petit-Frere were also drafted after brief NFL stops. Damon Arnette and Steele Chambers were placed on reserve lists, ensuring their continued presence in the league after productive UFL seasons in 2025. The draft also included former Buckeyes who finished their careers elsewhere, with Sam Wiglusz and Dallas Gant both hearing their names called. Taken together, the movement underscores how the UFL has become a meaningful proving ground for Ohio State players still chasing professional longevity.
While the player news stands at the forefront, the Aviators’ leadership brings an unmistakable Buckeye heartbeat. Ted Ginn Jr., one of the most electrifying players in Ohio State history, will lead the franchise as its inaugural head coach, a symbolic and fitting choice for a team trying to establish roots in a football-mad city. Ginn’s return to Columbus connects generations of Buckeye fans, blending his legacy as a Glenville and Ohio State legend with a new opportunity to shape the next wave of professional players. His presence, along with Cardale Jones serving as a team ambassador, makes the Aviators feel less like a new franchise and more like a continuation of Ohio State’s football family.
The 2026 UFL season will kick off on March 27, with the Aviators playing home games at Historic Crew Stadium, giving Columbus fans a spring football option deeply tied to the scarlet and gray. At The OHIO Podcast, we plan on covering the Columbus Aviators full time this season, serving as your home for Aviator news, analysis, and Buckeye-centered perspective as these former Ohio State players write the next chapter of their football journeys right here in Columbus.
