Three defensive Buckeyes made Mel Kiper Jr.’s big board of top 25 NFL Draft prospects.
The Ohio State Buckeyes held the No. 1 ranking throughout the college football season until their Big Ten Championship loss to Indiana. That run was fueled by a dominant defense and a young, explosive offense.
While the narrow 13–10 defeat to the Hoosiers ended their perfect stretch, it does nothing to diminish the standout individual campaigns put together by Ohio State’s stars. The roster is loaded with NFL-caliber talent on both sides of the ball, and ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. has weighed in on where several Buckeyes stack up among this spring’s top NFL prospects.
Ohio State is now awaiting the winner of the first-round College Football Playoff matchup between No. 7 Texas A&M and No. 10 Miami. The Buckeyes will face the victor in the Cotton Bowl quarterfinals in Arlington, Texas, with kickoff set for 7:30 p.m. Eastern.
The lone offensive player
Wide receiver Carnell Tate was the second-highest rated Buckeye on the big board, checking in at No. 9 overall.
“Tate has put together an impressive season and continues to show why he’s considered one of the top prospects in this class,” Mel Kiper Jr. said. “He consistently generates explosive plays, averaging 17.5 yards per reception. Tate runs sharp routes, has reliable hands, and shows excellent body control. He’s also a willing blocker, which is something NFL coaches value.”
Tate dealt with a lower-body injury in November that sidelined him for much of the month, but he’s been productive since returning, totaling nine receptions for 127 yards and two touchdowns. His combination with sophomore wideout Jeremiah Smith has helped make life easier for quarterback Julian Sayin. Tate, a 6-foot-3 receiver from Chicago, continues to be a key piece of Ohio State’s offense.
Three defensive stars make top-12
Ohio State is giving up 34.1 fewer yards per game than the nation’s second-ranked defense, a gap that underscores just how dominant the Buckeyes have been on that side of the ball. Under defensive coordinator Matt Patricia, Ohio State has established itself as the clear standard defensively in college football, powered by an aggressive and highly intelligent group of playmakers.
Linebacker Arvell Reese ranks No. 4 on Mel Kiper Jr.’s NFL Draft big board. The versatile defender has totaled 62 combined tackles, 6.5 sacks, and nine tackles for loss. At 6-foot-4, Reese combines size with explosiveness and shows strong instincts as a quick, decisive playmaker.
Safety Caleb Downs and linebacker Sonny Styles also landed inside Mel Kiper Jr.’s top 12 prospects, with Downs slotted at No. 11 and Styles at No. 12. Downs has also gained national recognition, recently placing ninth in Heisman Trophy voting, while Styles has received less attention from the broader media spotlight.
“You can see Styles’ background as a former safety,” Kiper said. “He has excellent speed and burst, which allows him to effectively spy the quarterback. Expect him to shine at the combine and throughout pre-draft testing. He’s a reliable tackler who closes quickly and really took a big step forward this season while adjusting to a new defensive system under Matt Patricia.”
With multiple elite prospects projected near the top of the board, head coach Ryan Day and the Ohio State program are expected to have a busy opening night of the NFL Draft. The first round will be held April 23 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and will air on ESPN, ABC, and NFL Network.
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