The depth of last season's Ohio State defensive line has been on full display in the 2018 NFL draft.
Jalyn Holmes became the third Ohio State defensive end to be selected in this year's NFL draft when the Minnesota Vikings selected Holmes with the No. 102 overall pick in the fourth round on Saturday.
The United States' Olympic gold medal-winning curling team helped the Vikings announce the selection:
The Vikings also posted video of their phone call to Holmes to let him know that he would be the newest member of their team.
Holmes joins Tyquan Lewis, who was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts with the No. 64 overall pick in the second round, and Sam Hubbard, who was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals with the No. 77 overall pick in the third round, as Ohio State defensive ends to be chosen in this year's draft.
"I'm just happy I got drafted to a great fit, a great D-line coach, a team that's ready to compete for a Super Bowl next year, and I'm just glad I can be a part of it," Holmes told Vikings reporters in a conference call Saturday afternoon.
A two-time All-Big Ten honorable mention, Holmes was a key player in Ohio State's defensive end rotation for the past two seasons, finishing his Buckeye career with 84 total tackles, including 14 tackles for loss and five sacks. Holmes also saw playing time last season at defensive tackle, giving him the potential to play both outside and inside at the next level.
Holmes is the second Buckeye to be drafted by the Vikings in as many years, joining Pat Elflein, who the Vikings selected in the third round (No. 70 overall) of the 2017 NFL draft. Holmes could be a rotational defensive end behind Vikings starters Everson Griffen and Danielle Hunter, but his quickest path to the field could be snaps as a situational interior pass-rusher.
"I can be whatever the Vikings need me to be," Holmes said when asked whether he expected to move inside to defensive tackle.
In total, Holmes is the sixth Ohio State player to be selected in this year's draft, following Cleveland Browns first-round pick Denzel Ward (No. 4 overall), Cincinnati Bengals first-round pick Billy Price (No. 21 overall), Lewis, Miami Dolphins third-round pick Jerome Baker (No. 73 overall) and Hubbard.
