Another crop of rookie Buckeyes are taking part in their first NFL camps this month, and as you'd expect, they're already making a splash.
Whether they're a high round pick looking to live up to the hype, a mid-round pick looking to prove themselves or an undrafted free agent trying to make a roster, a few Buckeyes have already turned some heads since camp began.
Let's take a look at some of the highlights.
J.K. Dobbins
He may have slipped to the late second round, but J.K. Dobbins is already turning heads in Baltimore with more than just his rushing ability.
Earlier this week, Dobbins showed off his hands and his receiving ability, hauling in an absurd touchdown in the back corner of the end zone.
.@Ravens rookie RB @Jkdobbins22
— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) August 25, 2020
Baltimore got a steal in Round 2 pic.twitter.com/Fw6IgS0h4p
J.K. Dobbins caught this. pic.twitter.com/pXFCwdEnNt
— Jonas Shaffer (@jonas_shaffer) August 23, 2020
We knew Dobbins was going to be a problem out of the backfield, but if he's making defenses look silly as a receiver...
Good luck.
Damon Arnette
Damon Arnette surprised some folks when he was taken in the first round by the Las Vegas Raiders, but it looks like he's already earning his money in camp.
Ok Damon Arnette.. calm down!!!
— CrockTIME (@eric_crocker) August 20, 2020
I was high on Arnette. Had him CB5 in my class. I didnt care about the 4.57 40 or short arms. His film was terrific. Textbook technique vs 4.2 speed Ruggs. Didnt fall for the half step. Extremely impressive.
: @I_Am_OD3 pic.twitter.com/HzcsU5aPg5
Arnette clocked just a 4.56-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine, but he's proving his game speed is much faster, hanging with Henry Ruggs' elite speed with no problem to get the interception.
Chase Young
We're going to have to wait just a bit longer for live games to start before we see Chase Young chase down some opposing quarterbacks, but in the mean time, we can enjoy watching him clown on some hapless offensive linemen.
Chase Young is going to eat NFC East QBs next season. pic.twitter.com/zwAqmWEKos
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) August 18, 2020
Not every players translates perfectly to the NFL, but it's impossible to imagine a scenario where Chase Young isn't a problem for opposing offenses for years to come, especially after watching how soon Joey and Nick Bosa stepped into eliteness.
Jeff Okudah
Going No. 3 overall just behind Chase Young, Jeff Okudah was another can't-miss Buckeye in this draft, and he's already showing flashes of that absurd potential in his first few weeks of camp.
Looks like its starting to come together a little bit for Okudah @PrideOfDetroit @Justin_Rogers @mikerothstein pic.twitter.com/oVw2zRP9Fd
— CoachJay (@CoachJayCosme) August 22, 2020
Jeff Hafley once said Okudah looked like a "made-up video game character.” And with that play, it appears he can play like one, too. Give him that 99 awareness rating, you cowards.
Binjimen Victor
Though he went undrafted in April, Binjimen Victor is looking to make an impression in camp and potentially earn a roster spot with the New York Giants.
And if he keeps making plays like this, he just might do it.
Binjimen Victor looks pretty good here vs. Darnay Holmes. pic.twitter.com/upp9syjNpt
— David Solow (@GiantsAlliance) August 21, 2020
Victor never really emerged as a consistent playmaker during his time in Columbus, but he was always good for an ocassional eye-popping play, and with that 6-foot-4 frame, he could carve out a nice NFL career for himself.
Austin Mack
Like Victor, Austin Mack went undrafted in the 2020 NFL Draft and like Victor he's now figthing for a roster spot on the very same New York Giants.
And he's also been turning some heads in camp.
I really want Austin Mack to make this team #Giants pic.twitter.com/Lu1GjpcnIg
— Mike (@Mike_NYY) August 18, 2020
Giants WRs coach Tyke Tolbert highly complimentary of rookie receiver Austin Mack out of Ohio State. Says he's smart, knows what to do, can play any position and is extremely tough. Mack clearly has earned the staff's trust already.
— Pat Leonard (@PLeonardNYDN) August 24, 2020
Mack never quite emerged as a superstar at Oho State, but he was extremely versatile and was an asset in special teams. There could be room for that on an NFL roster, and it sounds like Mack is already making an impression.
K.J. Hill
Most draft prognosticators projected K.J. Hill to be selected in the middle of the draft, some even as high as the third round.
After slipping all the way to the seventh round, he's now trying to prove himself the steal of the draft – and he seems to be making an impression on his coaches in multiple ways.
George Stewart on what he likes from K.J. Hill as a punt returner: "His smarts and his initial quickness Hes fast enough to be very, very productive in our league, but the thing is hes a strong runner, hes very intelligent and hes very quick." #Chargers
— Gilbert Manzano (@GManzano24) August 24, 2020
Hill had one of the most productive Buckeye careers of all time. Now, he's got to prove he can be productive at the next level.
Jordan Fuller
After three years as a starter at Ohio State, Jordan Fuller's now looking to make a splash at the next level with the Los Angeles Rams, and it looks like he's already making an impression.
Go get it, @j_fuller4!
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) August 18, 2020
Back-to-back days with picks for the rook! pic.twitter.com/9SFsYhLMV7
Fuller had to wait until the sixth round to hear his name called in the NFL Draft, but he's hoping he won't have to wait long to have his number called in the Rams lineup.
DaVon Hamilton
His final season with the Buckeyes, DaVon Hamilton quietly emerged as one of the most dominant interior linemen in the game, and now he's looking to make an early impact for the Jacksonville Jaguars.
More #Jaguars rookie NT DaVon Hamilton who looks to play a major role this season: pic.twitter.com/9HyE0Mj2aC
— Demetrius Harvey (@Demetrius82) August 24, 2020
At this time last year, you'd have to look hard to even find Hamilton on a mock draft. Now, there's a real chance he'll be a starter in the NFL.
Jonah Jackson
Jonah Jackson's decision to spend his senior year at Ohio State seems to have paid off as he earned himself a lot of attention during his lone season with the Buckeyes and became a third-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.
Now, it's looking like he'll be a day-one starter for the Detriot Lions.
Jonah Jackson has started at RG all 3 Lions padded practices, Patricia says he hasnt earned a starting spot yet but has earned an extended look.
— Erik Schlitt (@erikschlitt) August 21, 2020
Even though they'll be wearing blue and playing in Michigan, I think it's safe to say he and Jeff Okudah will continue to get plenty of love from Buckeye Nation.
