The 2026 NFL Draft’s been a wild ride for Ohio State so far. Four Buckeyes heard their names called in the first round, and honestly, that’s kind of a big deal for Columbus.
There’s still plenty of draft left, and you get the sense more Buckeyes will land with NFL teams soon. Let’s look at who’s already gone and who might be next.
Ohio State Dominates the First Round
Ohio State made a splash on night one—four players, first round. That’s not something you see every year, and it says a lot about the Buckeyes’ program.
Here’s a quick rundown of the guys who got the call on Thursday night:
Carnell Tate: Tennessee Titans, No. 4 Overall
First Buckeye off the board: Carnell Tate to the Tennessee Titans at No. 4. That ties the highest spot for an Ohio State wideout ever, which is pretty wild if you think about it.
Tate’s speed, reliable hands, and crisp routes made him tough for the Titans to pass up. They need help at receiver, and he fits the bill.
Arvell Reese: New York Giants, No. 5 Overall
Not much time to catch your breath—Arvell Reese went next at No. 5 to the Giants. He’s got that rare mix of versatility and high football IQ, which the Giants clearly wanted on defense.
Reese reads plays well and isn’t afraid to make a tough tackle. That should translate pretty quickly to the NFL.
Sonny Styles: Washington Commanders, No. 7 Overall
The Commanders didn’t wait long, grabbing Sonny Styles at No. 7. He was a leader at Ohio State, and you could see his athleticism on every snap.
Washington’s hoping he’ll be an anchor for their defense right away.
Caleb Downs: Dallas Cowboys, No. 11 Overall
Last Buckeye in the first round: Caleb Downs to the Cowboys at No. 11. He covers ground like few others, and he’s always around the ball.
Dallas is betting on his knack for big plays to boost their secondary. Not a bad way to wrap up a huge night for Ohio State.
Projected Picks for Remaining Buckeyes
With round one over, all eyes are on the next group of Buckeyes. A handful are still waiting for their shot, and some of these guys could surprise people.
Kayden McDonald: Early Second Round
Kayden McDonald is one to watch early in round two. He broke out as a junior—65 tackles, nine for loss, three sacks. Not bad, right?
He was a unanimous All-American, so teams needing a steady defensive lineman should be interested.
Max Klare: Early Third Round
Tight end Max Klare transferred from Purdue and really rounded out his game at Ohio State. He’s got steady hands and his blocking’s improved a ton.
He’s looking like an early third-rounder, the kind of guy who can quietly make a difference on offense.
Davison Igbinosun: Mid-to-Late Third Round
Davison Igbinosun is a bit of a wild card. He’s a long, athletic corner—over 6’2″, nearly 33-inch arms—and he was a lockdown guy his senior year: just 22 catches allowed, no touchdowns.
He struggled with penalties early, but he’s cleaned that up. He’ll probably go mid-to-late third round, and some team’s going to hope he becomes a reliable starter.
Caden Curry: Mid-Fourth Round
Caden Curry didn’t get a ton of snaps until his senior year, but he made them count: 16.5 tackles for loss, 11 sacks. That’s eye-catching.
He’s not super experienced, but the production’s there. Someone in the mid-fourth round will take a chance on him as a pass rusher.
Will Kacmarek: Late Fifth Round/Early Sixth Round
Tight end Will Kacmarek came to Ohio State looking to sharpen his skills for the NFL. He’s not a flashy receiver, but he can block and has seen a lot of action.
He’s probably a late fifth or early sixth round pick, and you never know—he could carve out a role like some other Buckeye tight ends have.
Lorenzo Styles Jr.: Seventh Round
Lorenzo Styles Jr. switched from wideout at Notre Dame to corner at Ohio State, which is a pretty gutsy move. Even with a shoulder injury last year, he flashed serious speed—a 4.27 40 at the Combine isn’t something you see every day.
He’s contributed on special teams too, so someone could grab him late in the seventh round.
Tywone Malone Jr.: Seventh Round/Undrafted
Tywone Malone Jr. left college baseball behind and transferred to Ohio State, but it’s been a bit of an uphill climb. He started some games, but there’s still work to do.
He’s athletic, and with Larry Johnson coaching him up, maybe a team takes a flyer on him in the seventh—or he ends up as a priority free agent.
CJ Donaldson: Undrafted
CJ Donaldson put up numbers at West Virginia, but couldn’t quite match that with the Buckeyes. Still, he’s versatile—can catch passes, finds the end zone, and even played tight end in high school.
He might not get drafted, but he’s got enough going for him that a team could give him a shot as a free agent.
Ethan Onianwa: Undrafted
Ethan Onianwa came in with some hype but never really cracked the lineup at Ohio State. He’s a big guy—6’7″, 331 pounds—and sometimes that’s enough to get a look.
He’s probably headed for free agency, but if a team wants depth on the line, they might take a chance on his size and potential.
Conclusion
The 2026 NFL Draft has already been a wild ride for Ohio State. Four Buckeyes went in the first round—pretty impressive, honestly.
The draft’s not over yet, though. More Ohio State players are waiting for their shot, and you can bet a few of them will hear their names called soon.
There’s a mix of defensive stars and some surprisingly versatile offensive guys in the mix. It’s hard not to notice how Ohio State just keeps churning out NFL-ready talent year after year.
If you want deeper takes and some solid guesses on where the rest of the Buckeyes might land, check out 247Sports.
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