Eric Boggs
The latest projections from draft analyst Mel Kiper reinforce what many in Buckeye Nation already believe: the future of the NFL runs through Columbus, Ohio. In his newest mock for ESPN, four Ohio State players land within the first seven selections of the 2026 NFL Draft, a feat that would set a new record for any single program.
The projected run begins with Caleb Downs going No. 2 to the New York Jets, a slot no safety has occupied since Eric Turner. Downs’ elite instincts, ball skills, and physicality make him the kind of defensive centerpiece franchises covet, and his production over three collegiate seasons suggests he could immediately transform a secondary that struggled mightily to create turnovers.
The Buckeye surge continues with Arvell Reese projected fourth to the Tennessee Titans. Reese’s blend of burst and versatility has evaluators intrigued, especially because his skill set could allow coach Robert Saleh to deploy him either as a linebacker or edge presence alongside interior star Jeffery Simmons.
Two picks later, wide receiver Carnell Tate is slotted to the Cleveland Browns after an 875-yard, nine-touchdown season that showcased his hands and route precision. With Cleveland’s receiving corps producing minimal scoring output last year, Tate’s polish could make him a day-one focal point, even with offensive line prospects such as Francis Mauigoa also drawing interest league-wide.
At No. 7, Sonny Styles is projected to the Washington Commanders, giving Ohio State four of the first seven selections. Styles’ rare combination of size and speed — a 6-foot-4, 243-pound frame with defensive-back athleticism — has evaluators buzzing, particularly for a Washington defense that allowed six yards per play and could be preparing for life after veteran leader Bobby Wagner.
Another Buckeye, Kayden McDonald, is projected late in round one to the Chicago Bears, where his run-stopping presence could bolster a front that surrendered five yards per carry and faces looming roster turnover with veterans such as Grady Jarrett aging and contracts thinning inside.
Should this projection materialize, Ohio State would place five players in the first round, trailing only the single-year marks set by the Miami Hurricanes in 2004 and the Alabama Crimson Tide in 2021, each with six. Such a showing would further cement the Buckeyes’ status as the most reliable producer of first-round talent in history, already leading all programs with 95 selections, ahead of powerhouses like USC, Notre Dame, and Michigan. The program’s sustained pipeline dominance over the past decade places it in the same modern conversation as Georgia and Alabama, yet Ohio State’s historical consistency remains unmatched.
The next proving ground arrives at the NFL Scouting Combine, held at Lucas Oil Stadium beginning tomorrow and running through this Sunday. Buckeye prospects will meet media, undergo evaluations, and participate in on-field drills broadcast live on NFL Network and streamed via NFL+, giving scouts one more chance to confirm what Ohio State supporters already see every Saturday: a roster overflowing with NFL-ready talent.
For fans of the scarlet and gray, the significance extends beyond numbers. A draft class with this level of early-round representation would not simply validate individual stars; it would underscore the program’s developmental culture and reinforce Columbus as college football’s most dependable launchpad to professional success. If Kiper’s forecast proves accurate, the opening minutes of draft night may feel less like a league event and more like a celebration of all things Ohio State.
