Four Ohio State players, including Arvell Reese and Caleb Downs, are projected to be top-10 picks in the 2026 NFL Draft. The draft will take place in Pittsburgh on Thursday night.
Four Ohio State star players from the 2025 season – linebacker Arvell Reese, linebacker Sonny Styles, receiver Carnell Tate and safety Caleb Downs – could be drafted with top-10 picks in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Since 2000, schools have had three top-10 picks a total of three times; a list that includes Oklahoma (2010), Ohio State (2016) and Alabama (2021). Will the Buckeyes have the most first-round picks in 2026? The most overall picks in the draft?
Sporting News will track the Ohio State draft picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, which begins in Pittsburgh on Thursday night.
A closer look at the Buckeyes' projected draft picks in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Reese (6-4, 241) showed flashes of dominance as a pass rusher last season – and he totaled 69 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and six sacks. He appears to be the top edge rusher in this year's draft barring a late surprise.
Styles (6-5, 244) wowed at the NFL Scouting Combine, and he fits as a dynamic all-around linebacker who had 82 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, a sack and an interception.
Downs (6-0, 206) is a two-time SN All-American safety who had 68 tackles, five tackles for loss and two interceptions for the Buckeyes last season. He's the safest pick in the first round in terms of expected production at the next level.
Tate (6-2, 192) is the next first-round receiver from Ohio State. He had 51 catches for 875 yards and nine TDs in a season where he battled injuries. He's still the top first-round receiver and fills a need for the Browns in this spot.
McDonald (6-2, 326) is a run-stuffing force on the interior. He finished with 65 tackles, nine tackles for loss and three sacks for the Buckeyes last season.
Klare (6-4, 246) had a fantastic NFL Scouting Combine performance, which has increased interest as a Day 2 sleeper. He had 43 catches on 55 targets – a 78.2% catch percentage that ranked fourth among FBS tight ends with at least 40 targets.
Igbinosun (6-2, 189) had two interceptions and cut down on the penalties, which were an issue in 2024. He's a wide cornerback who will have to develop into a starter at the next level. He's a low-risk Day 2 pick.
Sixth round
Caden Curry, EDGE, Arizona Cardinals (No. 183)
Curry (6-2, 257) had 11 sacks last season, and that was capped with five sacks in Ohio State's last four games. He is a late-round value pick who will fit in as a situational pass rusher.
Styles Jr. (6-0, 194) ran a 4.27 in the 40-yard dash – the second-fastest time at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine. He will add depth as a slot cornerback and could see time as a kickoff returner.
Kacmarek (6-5, 261) is projected to be "Mr. Irrelevant." He had 15 catches for 168 yards and two TDs for the Buckeyes last season and could fit in as a blocking tight end.
Most Ohio State players drafted in a single draft
Ohio State had 14 players selected in the 2025 NFL Draft, which matched a program record set in 2004. The Buckeyes likely will not surpass that number in 2026.
Which school has the record for most picks in a single NFL Draft?
When is Jeremiah Smith eligible for the NFL Draft?
Ohio State receiver Jeremiah Smith will be eligible for the 2027 NFL Draft. He had 87 catches for 1,243 yards and 12 TDs in 2025. Smith could be the first receiver taken with the No. 1 pick since the New York Jets took Keyshawn Johnson with the No. 1 pick in the 1996 NFL Draft.
How many NFL Draft picks does Ryan Day have at Ohio State?
Day took over at Ohio State in 2019, and this will be his seventh draft class with the Buckeyes. Ohio State has 49 NFL Draft picks and 14 first-round picks the last five seasons under Day. A look at those draft classes:
