Though not a single underclassman from Ohio State's football team has announced his intentions to leave school early for the NFL Draft, that doesn't mean they are not highly regarded by experts. Just ask draft analysts Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay from ESPN and Dane Brugler from CBS Sports.
McShay released his first mock for the 2017 NFL Draft on Wednesday and Ohio State corner Marshon Lattimore is listed as the fifth overall pick to the Tennessee Titans. Lattimore is easily the highest-rated cornerback according to McShay.
“The Titans have the good fortunate of not needing to even consider a quarterback with the pick they received in the Jared Goff trade,” he wrote. “Lattimore could use some more game experience, but if he leaves Columbus early, CB-needy teams such as the Titans could be enticed by the natural talent he has displayed on the perimeter in his first year as a starter.”
Kiper Jr. hasn't released a mock draft yet but still considers Lattimore a top-10 talent like his colleague. He has the redshirt sophomore as his 10th-best prospect.
“At 6-1, 190, Lattimore is a first-year starter who struggled because of a hamstring injury during his first two years in Columbus,” Kiper Jr. wrote. “He has been fantastic this season, standing out in a group of talented defenders. He tackles well and has locked down receivers; he has four interceptions. The cornerback class for the 2017 draft could be special, and Lattimore is in the top tier.”
Lattimore has not given any indication with regards to a decision on his future. Ohio State plays Clemson on New Year's Eve in the Fiesta Bowl as part of the College Football Playoff.
Both Kiper Jr. and McShay currently have Alabama defensive end Jonathan Allen and Texas A&M defensive end Myles Garrett as their top two players in April's draft, though they are not listed in the same order. McShay likes Allen to go first overall to the Cleveland Browns, while Kiper Jr. has Garrett listed first on his big board.
Lattimore isn't the only Ohio State defensive back who is popping up on early mock drafts. CBS Sports draft analyst Dane Brugler remains extremely high on safety Malik Hooker, the unanimous All-American with six interceptions (three returned for touchdowns) in just his first season as a starter. Brugler pencils Hooker in at 10th overall to the San Diego Chargers, the highest rated free safety.
“The Chargers are feeling the void left by Eric Weddle in the secondary, but Hooker has the sky-high potential that could help San Diego fans move on from him,” Brugler wrote.
Also a redshirt sophomore, Hooker has said multiple times that "right now" he intends to return to Ohio State in 2017.
“As of right now, I’m coming back,” Hooker said last week. “Right now I’m really not thinking about anything like that. As of right now, I’m definitely coming back next year.”
Brugler does not have Lattimore in his first mock draft, but another Ohio State defensive back in addition to Hooker. He slots redshirt junior Gareon Conley 30th overall to the Kansas City Chiefs.
“Marcus Peters is a stud and Steven Nelson looks like a promising building block on the Chiefs' cornerback depth chart,” Brugler said. “But there are questions after that and Conley fits what Kansas City wants at the position with his physical, press-man skills.”
Conley, Lattimore and Hooker all have the option to return to Ohio State for at least one more season. They all likely won't divulge much on their future one way or another before the Buckeyes play Clemson in 17 days but it continues to look more and more like they will be high picks should they decide to leave early.
Underclassmen have until Jan. 16 to declare for the 2017 NFL Draft.
