Ohio State has a strong history of sending players to the NFL, but Urban Meyer strengthened that pipeline to the league during his tenure in Columbus.
A staggering 49 of Meyer's former players were selected in the NFL draft between 2013-19, with 14 of those players going in the first round.
A host of those guys were able to make an instant impact at the next level. Players like running back Ezekiel Elliott, defensive ends Joey and Nick Bosa, wideouts Michael Thomas and Terry McLaurin and defensive backs Bradley Roby, Vonn Bell, Marshon Lattimore and Denzel Ward were key contributors on their respective teams from day one.
That's not just something that helps those NFL teams — it also helps Ohio State attract the nation's top talent on the recruiting front.
Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day wants that momentum to continue, and his first crop of rookies in the league have the potential and momentum to do just that.
It starts with Washington defensive end Chase Young, the highest Ohio State player drafted this year at No. 2 overall.
Young was absolutely dominant in his final season with the Buckeyes, registering a school-record 16.5 sacks despite sitting out numerous second half blowouts and serving a mid-season two-game suspension. Young has impressed during his first professional preseason as he's reportedly making big plays in camp.
Then there's Jeff Okudah, who was taken one spot after Young at No. 3 overall by Detroit.
With the pass-happy league and its complicated aerial attacks, the leap from college to the NFL seems to be the biggest for cornerbacks. Okudah has ground to cover, but he was widely considered the most complete cornerback prospect to come into the league over the last several years.
Jeff Okudah is a "complete" cornerback
— Sierra Scali (@Sierra_Scali) April 24, 2020
Good luck @jeffokudah as you join the @Lions! pic.twitter.com/Qh2Iy6dXkJ
But the Lions' first four games will be against four of the league's best pass-catchers in Chicago's Allen Robinson, Green Bay's Davonte Adams, Arizona's Larry Fitzgerald and New Orleans' Michael Thomas.
Then there's the third former Buckeye taken in the first round in last year's draft — Las Vegas cornerback Damon Arnette.
Arnette locked down the other side of Ohio State's secondary opposite Okudah last year, and his cover skills helped the Buckeyes build one of the best pass defenses in the country. The Raiders selected him a bit earlier than most expected him to go in the draft, but that decision looks to be paying off.
“Damon was exactly what we thought he would be off tape, which was first of all, tough and competitive. We thought he was one of the toughest and most competitive corners in this draft,” Las Vegas general manager Mike Mayock said, according to USA Today. “He’s quick, he’s fast, he finds the ball in the air. And as he learns how to be a pro and consistently detail every step along the way, he has a chance to be special. He’s got a long way to go, but he’s got a chance.”
Then there's J.K. Dobbins, who joined Young in rewriting Ohio State's record book by becoming the first-ever Buckeye to rush for over 2,000 yards (2003).
Dobbins was selected by Baltimore to join Lamar Jackson in what will likely be the most lethal backfield in the NFL. Jackson, the league's reigning MVP, ran for 1,206 yards and seven touchdowns in 2019. Dobbins has proven to be most effective with a dual-threat at quarterback, and he'll have the NFL's best running threat next to him when he kicks off his professional career next week.
Other Buckeye rookies should have the chance to thrive early. Jacksonville defensive tackle DaVon Hamilton has a high ceiling, and Detroit guard Jonah Jackson is expected to start in the season opener.
A total of 10 former Buckeyes are set to start their profession careers next week, the most since Ohio State's legendary 2016 class that included Joey Bosa, Elliott and Thomas. Those 10 players have a good chance to continue Ohio State's trend of making a strong first impression.
