He had to wait longer than expected, but Thayer Munford is officially an NFL offensive lineman.
The former Buckeye captain and four-year starter on Ohio State’s offensive line is the newest member of the Las Vegas Raiders, who selected him with the No. 238 overall pick in the seventh round of the 2022 NFL draft.
Adding more to the Silver and Black.
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) April 30, 2022
Let's get to work, @TMunford75 pic.twitter.com/HVnA9UgRpr
LETS GOOO!!! Proud to be a Raider #RaiderNation https://t.co/fjfiwf3RFW
— Thayer Munford Jr (@TMunford75) April 30, 2022
Despite his long wait to be selected, Munford told Raiders reporters he was “star struck” about being drafted, calling it “a blessing to be a part of the organization.”
“To be honest, I was nervous because I was like, ‘Dang, I know I’m better than where I got
drafted.’ It was just a nerve-wracking experience for me because I didn’t know if I was going to go as a free agent or not get drafted at all from nobody. So, I was just like sitting there just thinking to myself going, ‘Wow, like what's my plan after this?’” Munford said. “So, when I got that call, man, that really changed my whole perspective of everything. Oh man, it's just still a blessing to be a part is organization. Man, I don’t have no words for it.”
Munford was the sixth and final Buckeye selected in this year's draft, joining wide receivers Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave, fellow offensive lineman Nicholas Petit-Frere, tight end Jeremy Ruckert and defensive end Tyreke Smith. With both Munford and Petit-Frere selected, it’s the fourth time in the last five years Ohio State has had exactly two offensive linemen drafted.
A four-star recruit out of Massillon Washington High School in 2017, Munford heads to the NFL after a decorated five-year career at Ohio State in which he appeared in 58 games and made 45 starts. He was Ohio State’s starting left tackle for the 2018-20 seasons, then moved to left guard for the majority of the 2021 season before moving back to left tackle when Petit-Frere opted out of the Rose Bowl.
In his fifth-year senior season, Munford earned first-team All-American honors from the American Football Coaches Association. He was also a team captain and the recipient of Ohio State’s “Block 0” jersey, which the team awards to play who represents toughness, accountability and high character.
Those qualities, and his experience playing both outside and inside, should increase his chances of making the Raiders’ roster and sticking around in the league despite his fall into the final round of the NFL draft. He’ll likely start his career with the Raiders as a backup offensive lineman, but his ability to play both tackle and guard will increase his value as a depth player.
He was one of two offensive lineman drafted by the Raiders this year along with Memphis guard Dylan Parham, who they drafted in the third round (No. 90 overall).
Munford is one of two former Ohio State players now on the Raiders’ roster along with defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins.
