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After tying a school record by having 14 players taken in this year’s NFL draft, Ohio State is looking at a smaller draft class next year.
Probably.
The Buckeyes lost most of their starters from their national championship team, but Ohio State should have plenty of coveted players.
A few are a given to be drafted, some are on the trajectory to be ready for the NFL and some have the potential but need to make a strong push.
Caleb Downs, safety, junior
Downs would have been the first Buckeye taken in this year’s draft (unless Jeremiah Smith had been eligible also). Downs is a player with no weaknesses. He’s gifted athletically with speed and range. His natural football instincts are enhanced by his excellent work ethic and preparation. He is a sure tackler. Downs is also a threat as a punt returner, which he showed in a game-changing play against Indiana. It will be a surprise if he’s not a top-10 overall pick in 2026.
Sonny Styles, linebacker, senior
Styles and Downs will be the leaders of the Buckeye defense this season. Styles made a smooth transition last year from safety to linebacker and became more comfortable as the season progressed. Styles, who reclassified to join the 2022 recruiting class as a 17-year-old, is mature beyond his years physically and mentally. A big year could make him a first-rounder next April.
More: Ohio State football spring transfer tracker 2025: Latest portal news, updates
Carnell Tate, wide receiver, junior
Tate was overshadowed last year by Smith and senior Emeka Egbuka, but he was a dangerous receiver in his own right. A smooth route-runner with good hands, Tate caught 52 passes for 733 yards and four touchdowns in 2024. He was also effective as a blocker on the perimeter. With Smith back, defenses can’t afford to double-team Tate. Look for him to put up big numbers in 2025.
More: Watch Will Howard's emotional reaction to Pittsburgh Steelers picking him in NFL draft
Max Klare, tight end, junior
After spending three years at Purdue, the first as a redshirt, Klare blossomed in 2024. On a terrible Boilermakers team, Klare was Purdue’s top receiver by far with 51 catches for 685 yards and four touchdowns. It’ll be interesting to see how Ohio State uses Klare because OSU has a deep tight end unit with Will Kacmarek, Jelani Thurman and Bennett Christian back. But if given the opportunity, he could have pass-catching production similar to Cade Stover’s a couple of years ago.
Davison Igbinosun, cornerback, senior
Igbonisun flirted with turning pro after last season but wisely decided to return. A confident, feisty player, Igbinosun has one major flaw he needs to fix: He committed 19 penalties, mostly pass interference, last year. Igbinosun took to wearing mittens on his hands in practice to safeguard against committing interference. That was only partially successful. If Igbonisun can maintain his aggressiveness but use better technique this season, he will be a high draft pick in 2026.
The Rice transfer was projected to be a possible second-round pick this year but opted to come to OSU instead. He has all but cemented the left tackle spot for the Buckeyes. He started his career at right tackle and moved to the left side last year. In 341 passing snaps, he allowed only one sack and two pressures. From his arrival until spring practice, he lost 30 pounds to 335 to improve his agility.
Carson Hinzman, center, senior
The 2023 starter at center until his benching for the Cotton Bowl loss to Missouri, Hinzman was a forgotten player until the injury to Josh Simmons opened a spot on the line for him. He was ready for the moment. He played well at left guard and then moved back to center after Seth McLaughlin’s Achilles tendon tear. He’ll play center in 2025 and should be the leader of the offensive line.
Arvell Reese, linebacker, junior
A part-timer last year because Cody Simon and Styles were the starters in OSU’s two-linebacker base defense, Reese showed plenty of promise. Now he’s expected to join Styles as the starter. He has excellent size at 6-4 and 238 pounds and good speed. A year ago, he had 53 tackles in 309 snaps.
Brandon Inniss, wide receiver, junior
The former five-star recruit would have started and starred for most teams in 2024. But he had to bide his time behind Smith, Egbuka and Tate and was an effective fourth receiver. He caught 14 passes for 176 yards. He’s expected to take over Egbuka’s spot, mostly as a slot receiver. Look for him to put up big numbers if Ohio State gets solid quarterback play.
Jermaine Mathews, cornerback, junior
Mathews was OSU’s third cornerback last year (not counting nickel/safety Jordan Hancock) and became trusted by the coaching staff. A confident, aggressive player, Mathews will take over for Denzel Burke. If he has the year expected of him, look for him to enter the draft.
Luke Montgomery, guard, junior
Montgomery was a revelation in the College Football Playoff last year. He failed to win a job in spring and training camp last year and barely played until the postseason. When he got his chance, though, he seized it. He had a textbook block to spring TreVeyon Henderson for a touchdown against Tennessee. If he continues the progress he showed late last year, the NFL in 2026 is realistic.
Caden Curry, defensive end, senior
Curry has been a backup behind Jack Sawyer and J.T. Tuimoloau but has produced when he has played, both on defense and special teams. Now the question is whether he can be effective as a starter and not just a spot player. He’s relentless and finally has a chance to show he can become a star.
Kenyatta Jackson, defensive end, senior
He and Curry are in the same boat. They’ve waited to become starters and now have their chance. Jackson has all the tools. Now it’s a matter of handling starter reps and remaining effective.
Tegra Tshabola, guard, junior
Tshabola had an inconsistent first year as a starter, partly because of nagging injuries, but he played better in the CFP. Linemen often make a major jump in their second year, and Tshabola has the skills and size to do that. If he can put it all together, he could be ready for the NFL in 2026.
C.J. Donaldson, running back, senior
Donaldson ran for more than 2,000 yards and 30 touchdowns in three years at West Virginia. Now he’s expected to share time in the OSU backfield with sophomore James Peoples. Donaldson has lost about 20 pounds since arriving in Columbus, but is still a load at about 225 pounds.
Buy Ohio State posters, books, gear from CFP title win
Ohio State football beat writer Bill Rabinowitz can be reached at [email protected] or on bluesky at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Downs, Styles are atop projected Ohio State's 2026 NFL draft class
Continue reading...
Probably.
The Buckeyes lost most of their starters from their national championship team, but Ohio State should have plenty of coveted players.
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A few are a given to be drafted, some are on the trajectory to be ready for the NFL and some have the potential but need to make a strong push.
Locks
Caleb Downs, safety, junior
Downs would have been the first Buckeye taken in this year’s draft (unless Jeremiah Smith had been eligible also). Downs is a player with no weaknesses. He’s gifted athletically with speed and range. His natural football instincts are enhanced by his excellent work ethic and preparation. He is a sure tackler. Downs is also a threat as a punt returner, which he showed in a game-changing play against Indiana. It will be a surprise if he’s not a top-10 overall pick in 2026.
Sonny Styles, linebacker, senior
Styles and Downs will be the leaders of the Buckeye defense this season. Styles made a smooth transition last year from safety to linebacker and became more comfortable as the season progressed. Styles, who reclassified to join the 2022 recruiting class as a 17-year-old, is mature beyond his years physically and mentally. A big year could make him a first-rounder next April.
More: Ohio State football spring transfer tracker 2025: Latest portal news, updates
Carnell Tate, wide receiver, junior
Tate was overshadowed last year by Smith and senior Emeka Egbuka, but he was a dangerous receiver in his own right. A smooth route-runner with good hands, Tate caught 52 passes for 733 yards and four touchdowns in 2024. He was also effective as a blocker on the perimeter. With Smith back, defenses can’t afford to double-team Tate. Look for him to put up big numbers in 2025.
More: Watch Will Howard's emotional reaction to Pittsburgh Steelers picking him in NFL draft
Max Klare, tight end, junior
After spending three years at Purdue, the first as a redshirt, Klare blossomed in 2024. On a terrible Boilermakers team, Klare was Purdue’s top receiver by far with 51 catches for 685 yards and four touchdowns. It’ll be interesting to see how Ohio State uses Klare because OSU has a deep tight end unit with Will Kacmarek, Jelani Thurman and Bennett Christian back. But if given the opportunity, he could have pass-catching production similar to Cade Stover’s a couple of years ago.
Davison Igbinosun, cornerback, senior
Igbonisun flirted with turning pro after last season but wisely decided to return. A confident, feisty player, Igbinosun has one major flaw he needs to fix: He committed 19 penalties, mostly pass interference, last year. Igbinosun took to wearing mittens on his hands in practice to safeguard against committing interference. That was only partially successful. If Igbonisun can maintain his aggressiveness but use better technique this season, he will be a high draft pick in 2026.
Ethan Onianwa, tackle, senior
The Rice transfer was projected to be a possible second-round pick this year but opted to come to OSU instead. He has all but cemented the left tackle spot for the Buckeyes. He started his career at right tackle and moved to the left side last year. In 341 passing snaps, he allowed only one sack and two pressures. From his arrival until spring practice, he lost 30 pounds to 335 to improve his agility.
On the right trajectory
Carson Hinzman, center, senior
The 2023 starter at center until his benching for the Cotton Bowl loss to Missouri, Hinzman was a forgotten player until the injury to Josh Simmons opened a spot on the line for him. He was ready for the moment. He played well at left guard and then moved back to center after Seth McLaughlin’s Achilles tendon tear. He’ll play center in 2025 and should be the leader of the offensive line.
Arvell Reese, linebacker, junior
A part-timer last year because Cody Simon and Styles were the starters in OSU’s two-linebacker base defense, Reese showed plenty of promise. Now he’s expected to join Styles as the starter. He has excellent size at 6-4 and 238 pounds and good speed. A year ago, he had 53 tackles in 309 snaps.
Poised for a breakthrough
Brandon Inniss, wide receiver, junior
The former five-star recruit would have started and starred for most teams in 2024. But he had to bide his time behind Smith, Egbuka and Tate and was an effective fourth receiver. He caught 14 passes for 176 yards. He’s expected to take over Egbuka’s spot, mostly as a slot receiver. Look for him to put up big numbers if Ohio State gets solid quarterback play.
Jermaine Mathews, cornerback, junior
Mathews was OSU’s third cornerback last year (not counting nickel/safety Jordan Hancock) and became trusted by the coaching staff. A confident, aggressive player, Mathews will take over for Denzel Burke. If he has the year expected of him, look for him to enter the draft.
Luke Montgomery, guard, junior
Montgomery was a revelation in the College Football Playoff last year. He failed to win a job in spring and training camp last year and barely played until the postseason. When he got his chance, though, he seized it. He had a textbook block to spring TreVeyon Henderson for a touchdown against Tennessee. If he continues the progress he showed late last year, the NFL in 2026 is realistic.
Caden Curry, defensive end, senior
Curry has been a backup behind Jack Sawyer and J.T. Tuimoloau but has produced when he has played, both on defense and special teams. Now the question is whether he can be effective as a starter and not just a spot player. He’s relentless and finally has a chance to show he can become a star.
Kenyatta Jackson, defensive end, senior
He and Curry are in the same boat. They’ve waited to become starters and now have their chance. Jackson has all the tools. Now it’s a matter of handling starter reps and remaining effective.
Tegra Tshabola, guard, junior
Tshabola had an inconsistent first year as a starter, partly because of nagging injuries, but he played better in the CFP. Linemen often make a major jump in their second year, and Tshabola has the skills and size to do that. If he can put it all together, he could be ready for the NFL in 2026.
C.J. Donaldson, running back, senior
Donaldson ran for more than 2,000 yards and 30 touchdowns in three years at West Virginia. Now he’s expected to share time in the OSU backfield with sophomore James Peoples. Donaldson has lost about 20 pounds since arriving in Columbus, but is still a load at about 225 pounds.
Buy Ohio State posters, books, gear from CFP title win
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Ohio State football beat writer Bill Rabinowitz can be reached at [email protected] or on bluesky at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Downs, Styles are atop projected Ohio State's 2026 NFL draft class
Continue reading...
