In the 2024 NFL Draft, Ohio State only had four selections. That was due, in part, to a handful of potential picks returning to school. As a result, they all went this year. Now that the dust has settled, the Buckeyes saw 14 players drafted, tying the program record set in 2004. According to the Buckeyes’ sports information department, it is the fifth time since 1994 that the Buckeyes sent double-digit players to the NFL.
The event kicked off on Thursday with four former Buckeyes selected over the course of the final 14 picks in the first round. Then, the second round kicked off with three selections in the first 13 picks. Nothing was guaranteed, but Ohio State was off to a hot start with seven picks over the first 45. All in all, eight draft-bound players from college football’s top defense were selected.
Ohio State Ties Program Record for Most NFL Draft Picks
Four First Rounders
After the first round, the Buckeye led all programs with four selections thanks to a late-round run. The first Buckeye to come off the board was Emeka Egbuka, 14th overall to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. While breaking the Ohio State career receptions mark, Egbuka regained that swagger from his sophomore year with 81 catches, 1,011 yards, and 10 touchdowns. As of now, he’s considered the third-best receiver in the draft. He gets to join future Hall of Famer Mike Evans and Chris Godwin in Tampa Bay.
Then, with the 24th pick, the Minnesota Vikings picked up Donovan Jackson. Last year, Jackson started the year injured and worked his way back on the field as the starting left guard. When Simmons went down with an injury, Jackson kicked out to left tackle and started. In his three seasons, Jackson logged 1,314 pass-blocking snaps and allowed five sacks. He gets to block for former Michigan rival quarterback J.J. McCarthy, assuming he’s the starter.
The Detroit Lions selected Tyleik Williams with the 28th pick. One of the biggest beneficiaries of returning, Williams had fringe first-round grades on him. The six-foot-three, 370-pound defensive tackle has made a career out of flashy plays and ended the 2024 season with eight tackles for loss. Scouts currently view him as a prospect with a truckload of potential.
Finally, the Kansas City Chiefs traded back one pick to pick up some draft capital as well as Buckeye tackle, Josh Simmons. The San Diego State transfer struggled early on but developed into what was about to be an All-American-type season in 2024 before his injury. However, if his medical visits at the Scouting Combine come back clean, he’s expected to be one of the top offensive linemen in the draft.
Three on Day Two
The second round kicked off strong for the Buckeyes. In a pick netted from the massive first-round trade with the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Cleveland Browns drafted Quinshon Judkins with the 36th-overall pick. Judkins is the kind of downhill runner the Browns love to employ. Last year, Judkins led the Buckeyes in rushing attempts and touchdowns. He left the program on top with a three-touchdown performance (two rushing, one receiving) in the National Championship.
Two picks later, his running mate, TreVeyon Henderson, was drafted by the New England Patriots. New England needed a playmaker at the position, and Henderson has shown that that’s what he is. He led the Buckeyes in rushing yards and was an integral part of the Cotton Bowl win.
Finally, with the 45th pick, it was Jaylahn Tuimoloau. The Indianapolis Colts needed pass-rush help, and Tuimoloau is set to provide that juice. He was the most improved player of the returning group. Before 2024, Tuimoloau had managed a total of 22 tackles for loss and 11 sacks over his first three seasons. In 2024, he totaled 21.5 tackles for loss and 12.5 sacks.
Three in the Fourth Round
There was a run of Buckeye-less picks, but the Arizona Cardinals chose Cody Simon with the 115th pick of the draft. NFL teams love captains and leaders of men. Simon, the 2024 “Block O” recipient, checks all the boxes. With 113 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, seven sacks, seven pass breakups, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery, the Cardinals add a tone-setter on defense.
Then, Ohio State had back-to-back selections. Lathan Ransom went to the Carolina Panthers with the 122nd pick. He was one of the leaders on the defense and showed what he could do when fully healthy. Despite his fourth-round capital, he could be a day-one contributor. He’s great at coming downhill in run support and punching the ball out. Ransom forced three fumbles in 2024 and six in his career.
Directly after Ransom, the Pittsburgh Steelers picked one of the heroes of the College Football Playoff run, Jack Sawyer. Four-and-a-half of his nine sacks came in the first three rounds of the CFP. He will forever be in Ohio State lore for his strip sack on fourth down to seal the Cotton Bowl. The senior amassed 59 total tackles, nine tackles for loss, nine sacks, an interception, seven pass breakups, three forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, and two defensive scores.
A Fifth-Round Trio
Another three Buckeyes came off the board in the fifth round, starting with Ty Hamilton. The Los Angeles Rams used their 148th pick in the draft to take the massive defensive tackle. With all of the focus on the other four defensive linemen, Hamilton had a career year with 51 tackles, six tackles for loss, three-and-a-half sacks, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. He had moments where he took over the game and physically dominated from his defensive tackle position.
With the 170th pick, the Buffalo Bills took a chance on the versatile Jordan Hancock. As a slot corner, Hancock did not have as many opportunities to shine as the outside corners did. Even then, in his two seasons as a starter, Hancock pulled in three interceptions and returned one 94 yards for a touchdown in 2023. He will be part of the Bills’ attempt to completely overhaul the cornerback room with three new picks.
Four picks later, the Cardinals double-dipped Buckeye defenders with Denzel Burke. While his draft stock didn’t tank like Shaun Wade’s, Burke might have been better off declaring after 2023. He had some high-end play, particularly through the CFP. However, that first matchup with Oregon will stick in the minds of fans. Despite that game, he was solid this year and showed that he can play with anyone. In the rematch, Burke was targeted once and did not allow a catch.
Tying the Program Record
Heading into the draft, there was an expectation that 15 Buckeyes would be drafted. Number 14 was Will Howard. The Steelers also double-dipped the Buckeyes, this time with their 185th-overall pick. Howard was divisive heading into the draft and was actually the eighth quarterback drafted…After Kyle McCord. He’s talented, but Howard does not have those eye-popping traits NFL teams often look for. However, he showed that he can take care of the ball and distribute it anywhere on the field. His deep-ball improved this year, and he can pull it down and run with it. It’s not often you see a sixth-round quarterback in a situation where he can battle to be the starter, but Pittsburgh might be just the situation.
So, that means Seth McLaughlin, Gee Scott Jr., and Josh Fryar went undrafted. Scott and Fryar had uphill battles as they were consensus UDFAs, but McLaughlin’s injury must have scared teams off. In the wake of the draft, McLaughlin signed a UDFA deal with the Cincinnati Bengals. Fryar is going to reunite with his old offensive line coach with the Cardinals as a UDFA, and Scott is headed to New England.
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