When an emotional Pat Elflein jogged through the line of cheerleaders and band members to give Urban Meyer a hug, he ended a relatively brief Senior Day before Ohio State took on Michigan.
The fifth-year senior center and captain was the final of 21 players recognized by the Buckeyes before play began against the Wolverines. He was the only full-time starter on offense or defense recognized. There are only six scholarship players on the roster—Elflein, Dontre Wilson, Corey Smith, Craig Fada, Joe Burger and Cameron Johnston.
While that helps illustrate how young the No. 2 Buckeyes are (there are more than 40 players with freshman eligibility on the team) their 11-1 record and lofty ranking beg the question which players could also leave early for the next level.
Ohio State exported 12 players into the NFL last season as part of arguably the most historic draft class ever. Two more—wide receiver Jalin Marshall and Tyvis Powell—signed with teams and are currently cashing NFL paychecks. Nine of those 14 players left with at least one year of eligibility remaining. Some had two.
The Buckeyes only played four members of their 2015 recruiting class last year, which led to an extremely young and inexperienced team heading this season. Ohio State's roster entered its season opener against Bowling Green as the most inexperienced in the country, according to college football oracle Phil Steele.
But the talent rose to new heights and performed at an extremely high level through 12 games on both sides of the ball. With a month between games, here is a look at some of the names you will start hearing from NFL Draft analysts and reporters as players who could get drafted should they choose to leave Ohio State. The round CBS Sports projects them being drafted is also listed, if applicable. Underclassmen have until Jan. 16 to decide if they wish to enter the NFL Draft.
Malik Hooker—Safety
OK, we know the redshirt sophomore told The Columbus Dispatch on Tuesday "right now it's 100 percent sure" he will return to Ohio State in 2017. It is commendable and frankly expected for a player to say something like that at this point in the season—where the Buckeyes won't play for the Big Ten Championship and are unsure if they will make the College Football Playoff—but the odds on his feelings changing by January are astronomically high.
Hooker is the top-rated free safety in the 2017 NFL Draft class and a projected first-round selection according to CBS Sports. With outstanding ball skills and closing speed, Hooker has six interceptions so far this season. He returned three of those for touchdowns.
NFL Draft analyst Dane Brugler describes Hooker as "a big play waiting to happen" but noted he has issues with his spacing in coverage at times. That makes sense, considering he only played two years of high school football and is in his first year starting at Ohio State. But his talent and the fact the football window for players to make money is getting smaller and smaller could force Hooker's hand once the 2016 season draws to a close regardless how it ends for the Buckeyes. If he returns, it would be a big shock and a pleasant surprise for Ohio State.
Gareon Conley—Cornerback
Conley leaving Ohio State with one year of eligibility on the table is almost a no-brainer. He is a two-year starter, a redshirt junior, the unquestioned leader in Ohio State's secondary room and has three interceptions this season. Standing at 6-feet tall with long arms and excellent speed, Conley perfectly fits the mold the NFL likes in its cornerbacks.
CBS Sports projects Conley as a second or third-round selection in next year's draft and the 70th overall prospect. Once Eli Apple left after his redshirt sophomore season a year ago, it was pretty clear that Conley would be the next in line of Ohio State corners to get drafted.
That hasn't changed.
Marshon Lattimore—Cornerback
Could Ohio State have three members of its secondary selected in the 2017 NFL Draft? It isn't as far-fetched as you might think.
Lattimore is bound to receive some all-conference recognition on Tuesday night for his stellar play this season, his first as a starter. The redshirt sophomore is second on the team with four interceptions and returned one for a touchdown in a driving rainstorm against Tulsa.
The 2016 season is the first time Lattimore has been healthy enough to play in Ohio State's secondary after issues with his hamstrings essentially cost him two years. He is eighth on the team with 38 tackles and tied with Denzel Ward for the team lead with nine pass break ups. Another 6-foot corner with terrific speed, Lattimore is likely to get positive grades from NFL personnel in the coming weeks. It is clear he is an elite player and he showed that during the regular season.
Raekwon McMillan—Middle Linebacker
McMillan's path seemed pretty clear when Urban Meyer plucked him out of Georgia three years ago—come to Ohio State, contribute early, start for a few years and become a high draft pick. He has stayed healthy and been extremely productive, a finalist for the Butkus Award last season and a semifinalist this year.
McMillan's numbers are not as mind-boggling as they were in 2015 but he performed at an extremely high-level last weekend. His 16 tackles against Michigan tied a career high and earned him Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week honors. It also showed McMillan is an excellent linebacker against run-first, pro-style defenses.
The unquestioned leader of Luke Fickell's entire unit, McMillan is responsible for all the on-field calls before the snap even happens. He at times is out of position on passing plays but has terrific size, a national championship ring and plenty of experience that seems ready to push him to the NFL.
Tyquan Lewis—Defensive End
One of the most underappreciated and least talked about players on Ohio State's defense the last two seasons, Lewis quietly leads the unit with 7.5 sacks this year. He also led the Buckeyes with 8.0 sacks in 2015.
Lewis' 10 tackles for loss through 12 games is also best on the team, and the true junior's constant motor is something NFL scouts love. CBS Sports projects him as a fourth-round pick next spring, the 14th-best defensive end in the class. Lewis has another year of eligibility if he wants it but could find himself in a situation where his stock isn't going to be higher.
Lewis is also the Big Ten's Defensive Lineman of the Year, quite an honor that will also generate interest in his game.
Sam Hubbard—Defensive End
Hubbard's athleticism makes him a coveted talent on any defense and he put it on full display on Ohio State's biggest stage of the season. His pursuit and tackle of Michigan's Jabrill Peppers in the red zone for a huge stop on third down was one of the biggest plays of the game. Plays like that alone make Hubbard an NFL prospect whenever he decides to leave Columbus.
Hubbard's seven tackles for loss are fifth on Ohio State's defense this season and his three sacks are fourth, respectable numbers for a guy on a unit that rotates so much. But he has two passes broken up and four quarterback hurries, plus showed his potential last season when he dropped into coverage and intercepted a pass against Maryland.
Hubbard is only a redshirt sophomore and still developing into his body and position at defensive end but is a freak athlete that will certainly generate interest from the next level.
Billy Price—Guard
Price is a three-year starter on Ohio State's offensive line, working alongside Pat Elflein ever since the team's run at the national championship in 2014. He is also a redshirt junior, the strongest player on the team and an All-Big Ten performer.
The issue with Price is his position and size, which really are not issues at all for the college game. The NFL at times moves players that don't do well at tackle inside to play guard—see what the Indianapolis Colts did with former Buckeye Jack Mewhort—and at 6-foot-4, Price is not an ideal height to play tackle in the NFL.
The reason Price makes this list is because of his extensive experience playing at a high level and he has accomplished pretty much everything a player could want in college. He played a huge role in Ohio State's Big Ten and national championship run in 2014 and is on pace to make more than 40 starts for the Buckeyes. Not to mention the simple fact he is a terrific player.
Curtis Samuel—H-back
Samuel is far and away Ohio State's most explosive and best offensive weapon, leading the team with 65 catches and 822 receiving yards to go with seven touchdowns. Lest we forget the 704 rushing yards and eight scores on the ground, the perfect fit for Meyer's hybrid back position.
Samuel is the ultimate weapon and has proven that this season in Columbus. He stayed healthy and thrived in a larger role in the offense once all that talent left a year ago. The question is how to view him as an NFL prospect, something that is typical with an H-back in Meyer's system.
CBS Sports sees him as a wide receiver and ranks him seventh in this year's haul of wideouts, a projected second round selection. A true junior who has incredible speed and skills in the open field, Samuel could certainly find a place at the next level. And like Price, Samuel played a role on Ohio State's 2014 national championship team. What is left for him to do in college?
J.T. Barrett—Quarterback
Barrett leaving feels incredibly far-fetched but he makes this list because of how incredibly successful he is as a college quarterback both in wins and statistically. It is pretty evident he struggles to throw the ball down the field with consistency, both a product of poor pass protection at times and struggling wide receivers not named Curtis Samuel.
But Barrett also flat out misses open guys due to poor mechanics and footwork. Still, he could leave as a fourth-year junior depending on how this season finishes for Ohio State.
Barrett addressed last week any early speculation that he could leave with one year of college eligibility remaining, saying he hasn't thought that far ahead yet. That is completely understandable and it is unlikely that he leaves after what he put on tape this year. But with a degree in hand, a national championship ring and two-plus seasons as a starting quarterback, why not?
Marcus Baugh—Tight End
Baugh's inclusion on this could shock some people but the redshirt junior has been rumored to not like school much and considering he is in his fourth season at Ohio State, could certainly leave. Not to mention the tight end has made some nice plays this season and is fourth on the team with 24 receptions for 269 yards and two touchdowns—totals that only trail Curtis Samuel, Noah Brown and Dontre Wilson. Baugh is a significant piece to Ohio State's passing game, a rarity the last few seasons for a tight end.
Baugh showed his athleticism against Maryland when he jumped over a defender near the sideline after making a catch and also made an extremely difficult grab last Saturday against Michigan. The one-handed reception put the Buckeyes in a position to kick the game-tying field goal near the end of regulation.
Baugh's career credentials are not there and he is not projected on many NFL Draft boards this season (he is for 2018)—but as a fourth-year junior don't be shocked if he pulls the rip cord on his college career. Plus, there were three tight ends in Ohio State's 2016 recruiting class, plus A.J. Alexander remains in the fold as a redshirt freshman. It feels like the Buckeyes are preparing for life without Baugh next season.
It is important to note that this all speculation and purely written on players that are creating interest among NFL personnel and analysts, plus those that will at least have a decision to make at the end of the season. None of these guys have said they are leaving and only Malik Hooker (and J.T. Barrett to an extent) gave any indication that they planned to return to Columbus in 2017.
What happens during Ohio State's postseason is bound to affect how some are thinking too. If the Buckeyes are left out of the College Football Playoff and rewarded with a trip to the Orange Bowl, some on the fence might want to stay in college for another shot at a national championship.
But should the Buckeyes be included in the top four on Sunday afternoon and go on to win the national title, a bulk of the first-time starters that could head to the NFL will likely feel the need to do so. Players say they come to Ohio State to play for Urban Meyer and win championships. If that happens this year, redshirt juniors and sophomores have every reason to move on or at least think about it.
There are plenty of moving parts but with the deadline for underclassmen to declare sitting only 48 days away, the clock is ticking.
