Success in the NFL is Ohio State's Greatest Recruiting Pitch

During the first television timeout of Saturday's Spring Game, former Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliott and defensive end Joey Bosa were honored in front of a sellout crowd of more than 80,000 at Ohio Stadium.

Joey Bosa (in a Zlatan Ibrahimovi jersey) and Ezekiel Elliott are just two NFL stars back in Columbus today. pic.twitter.com/3mPx90cWMN

— Eleven Warriors (@11W) April 15, 2017

The public address announcer listed their accomplishments while the crowd watched in amazement as a pair of two-minute highlight videos detailed their rise toward stardom in the National Football League — Elliott rushed for a league-leading 1,631 yards and 16 total touchdowns for the Cowboys on his way to being named the Pro Football Writers of America Offensive Rookie of the Year, while Bosa recorded 10.5 sacks in only 12 games for the Chargers to be named the defensive rookie of the year.

And with more players selected in the first three round of the 2016 NFL Draft than any other school in history, it's a sight we've come to expect during games.

They weren't the only former Buckeyes to shine during their rookie campaigns, either, as Saints wide receiver Mike Thomas racked up 1,137 yards receiving and team-high nine touchdowns. Offensive tackle Taylor Decker and safety Vonn Bell also flashed all-pro potential as first-year starters for the Lions and Saints, respectively. 

The list goes on. And just like he did on Saturday, Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer isn't going to let you forget about it anytime soon. 

Sure, touting your former players is something every school should do. But it's also become an integral part of what makes Ohio State such an appealing place for recruits. With more than 50 of the country's top-rated prospects on hand for the glorified scrimmage, what better way to recruit than show your program can mold them into some of the NFL's best? 

"There's a variety of things that kids look for," Meyer said on signing day. "First of all, Ohio State is a national brand and will always be and always has been. But I think the success we've had recently and the exposure that this program has had for the right reasons has really been beneficial.

"The one area that they see is that these kids not only leave this program and go to the NFL, they start. And we have the [offensive] rookie of the year and the [defensive] rookie of the year," he continued. "I'm watching the Pro Bowl [and ] a Buckeye carries the ball, a Buckeye is blocking for him and a Buckeye tackles him. You know, it's a lot of good stuff out there."

Ohio State is currently tied with Florida State with the fourth-most players in the NFL (45), a number that will only increase next month as Marshon Lattimore, Malik Hooker, Gareon Conley, Raekwon McMillan, Curtis Samuel and Pat Elflein will undoubtedly hear their names called during the draft. They, too, were honored during a timeout in the second half to a roaring applause. 

Ohio State helped these players reach their dream of playing on the highest stage in football, so they'll undoubtedly continue to capitalize on their successes moving forward. And if you don't think that recruiting pitch works, just ask the four-star safety from Oklahoma who committed to the Buckeyes at halftime of Saturday's game.

He surely didn't make his decision based upon a long-time infatuation with the Ohio State football program. He became a Buckeye in order to get to the NFL.