Ohio State just saw seven players selected in the 2018 NFL Draft while guys like J.T. Barrett, Chris Worley, Tracy Sprinkle, Michael Hill, Marcus Baugh, Damon Webb, Elijaah Goins and Nick Seme have the chance to make NFL rosters as undrafted free agents.
There are few schools in the country that see that many players heading to the professional ranks year after year, and next year's class will be no different. In fact, it's likely next year's class features even more NFL talent – at least in terms of the number of players – than this years.
Here's a look at Ohio State's current players that could be part of next season's NFL Draft, or at least have the chance to make NFL rosters, in no particular order.
Nick Bosa – DE
This one is fairly obvious. If Nick Bosa were eligible, he would almost certainly be a first-round pick this year. Unfortunately for opposing college offenses, the rules dictate he must wait one more season.
Bosa will be one of the most feared pass rushers in the country this season and projects to be one of the top 2019 Draft Prospects and possibly even the No. 1 overall pick. After all, his brother was selected at No. 3, and Nick may be even better.
Two NFL personnel men predicted last week that the early favorite to become the No. 1 pick of the 2019 NFL Draft is....Ohio St. DE Nick Bosa. They believe hes going to be a better player than his older brother Joey.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 28, 2018
Mike Weber – RB
One guy that could have entered the draft this season but didn't was Mike Weber. Weber was a 1,000 yard rusher his redshirt freshman season before splitting carries with J.K. Dobbins last season.
Still, despite the decreased production that came with fewer carries, Weber looked quicker, faster and more explosive last season. If he can continue to display that this season, he'll get a shot at an NFL roster.
Kendall Sheffield – CB
Though he struggled at times during his first season in Columbus, Kendall Sheffield certainly look the part of an NFL defensive back with his track speed, size and length, and he had five-star potential coming out of high school.
Sheffield needs to make strides in 2018, but it's not uncommon for an Ohio State corner to struggle during his debut season before becoming a lock-down guy his second. It seems anyone is going to extend Ohio State's streak of a first-round pick at cornerback, it's going to be Sheffield.
Dre'Mont Jones – DT
Bosa will not be the lone Ohio State defensive lineman taken in the 2019 NFL Draft, Dre'Mont Jones will be right there with him. Jones was quietly one of the team's top defensive linemen all season, but the team's depth the the position didn't exactly help his draft stock as the rushman package took him off the field on obvious pass rushing situations.
Still, Jones could have entered the draft following the season and certainly found an NFL home and possibly even going in the first two rounds. After one more season in Columbus, Jones could be a high first-round pick. And he's already well on his way, as Urban Meyer said he had the best spring practice of anybody on the roster, saying he was "even better than he was last year."
Parris Campbell, Terry McLaurin, Johnnie Dixon – WR
As current seniors, Parris Campbell, Terry McLaurin and Johnnie Dixon will be looking to head to the next level following next season. All three have undeniable speed and athleticism, but need another season of refining route running and working on their hands.
Campbell will almost certainly find an NFL home due to his pure playmaking ability, McLaurin will be aided by his blocking ability and football IQ, and Dixon could help his draft stock by one more solid, healthy season after he led the team in touchdowns in his first real season healthy.
K.J. Hill, Austin Mack & Binjimen Victor – WR
While these three receivers will still have a year of eligibility remaining following next season, they'll almost-surely face NFL decisions after one more season as the team's top receivers. At Ohio State, it's not a common thing for starters to stick around for three seasons.
K.J. Hill presumably pondered the NFL following this season when he was one of the team's most productive receivers, and both Binjimen Victor and Austin Mack emerged as reliable target receivers by season's end. With one more season of growth, all three could be headed to the league next season, leaving Ohio State to replace all six receivers.
Isaiah Prince, Demetrius Knox & Brady Taylor – OL
With their college eligibility exhausted, these three slobs will be looking to take their talents to the NFL following next season. Isaiah Prince and Demetrius Knox have NFL size and have already displayed the ability to dominate an opposing defensive line.
Brady Taylor still has a lot to prove, but if he's a starter at Ohio State, he'll at least get a chance to make an NFL roster. There's also a chance either Michael Jordan or Branden Bowen elect to head to try the NFL following next season, but are still likely to return for their senior seasons.
Jordan Fuller – S
He wasn't Malik Hooker, but Jordan Fuller was a fine addition to the Ohio State secondary last season and was solid in coverage. It was expected that Fuller would split time with Erick Smith, but Fuller presumably pulled away from Smith and became the clear No. 1 guy at the boundary safety position.
With one more solid season as a starter, Fuller will likely have to make an NFL decision following the season.
Others to Watch
With a few position battles still up for grabs and development still happening, this isn't a complete list. After all, who would have projected Malik Hooker to be an NFL player, much less a first-round pick, the summer before his emergence?
Here is a list of guys to to watch who will be draft-eligible and could blossom and head to the pros following next season.
- Dwayne Haskins – QB
- Malik Harrison – LB
- Keandre Jones – LB
- Tuf Borland – LB
- Justin Hilliard – LB
- Jonathon Cooper – DE
- Robert Landers – DT
- Damon Arnette – CB
