Three Ohio State standouts get selected in top 10 of latest 2026 first-round NFL mock draft

The Ohio State Buckeyes are constantly churning out elite players. Many of those players go the NFL and become stars at the highest level.

It's just what they do, and they've been doing it far before Ryan Day was the head coach in Columbus. It is impressive what Day has been able to do in recent drafts, though. 

He's coached up 14 first-rounders since 2020. That's a list that includes, but is not limited to, Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave, C.J. Stroud, Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Emeka Egbuka.

In the 2025 NFL Draft, four Ohio State players went in the first: Egbuka (No. 19), Donovan Jackson (No. 24), Tyleik Williams (No. 28) and Josh Simmons (No. 32).

It was a banner year for Ohio State in the draft, but ESPN NFL Draft insider is mocking an even bigger turnout for Ohio State in the 2026 NFL Draft.

In his latest two-round mock draft after the Senior Bowl, Miller has three Buckeyes not just going in the first round, but three Buckeyes going in the top 10.

That would be EDGE Arvell Reese (No. 2 to the New York Jets), wideout Carnell Tate (No. 5 to the New York Giants) and safety Caleb Downs (No. 7 to the Washington Commanders).

ESPN projects Ohio State Buckeyes EDGE Arvell Reese No. 2 overall in 2026 NFL Draft 

Notably, he also has Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles going No. 12 to the Dallas Cowboys, so that would be four first-rounders for Ohio State yet again.

Here's what Miller has to say about Reese at No. 2 overall.

"Reese split time at linebacker and edge-rusher. He is built in the Micah Parsons/Abdul Carter mold, with elite speed and powerful hands off the edge and high potential once he settles in as a full-time edge-rusher," Miller wrote.

Reese checks in at 6-foot-4, 243 pounds and he notched 6.5 sacks for Ohio State this past season. 

Those may not seem like elite numbers, but Reese has all the intangibles you're looking for in a next-level EDGE.

NFL intangibles and Ohio State Buckeyes. Name a better duo.