Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Arvell Reese. Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Ohio State positioned for NFL Draft feat not seen since 1967

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Mar 31, 2026 8:50 AM ET

How many Ohio State Buckeyes will hear their name called during the 2026 NFL Draft (scheduled April 23-25 in Pittsburgh)? Better yet, how many will go in the top 10?

The Buckeyes may be positioned to do something that's been done once in the common-draft era (which began in 1967 as a part of the AFL-NFL merger): have four players go in the top 10 of the draft.

When was the last time a school had four players go in top 10 of 2026 NFL Draft?

Citing ESPN Research, Rich Cimini shared that the Michigan State Spartans were the last school to have four players go in the top 10 (1967).

The Spartans selected were defensive end Bubba Smith (Baltimore Colts, pick No. 1), running back Clint Jones (Minnesota Vikings, pick No. 2), linebacker George Webster (Houston Oilers, pick No. 5) and wide receiver Gene Washington (Vikings, pick No. 8).

Ohio State could have four players picked in the top 10 - Reese, Styles, Downs and Tate. The only school with four top-10 picks in the same draft (common draft era) is Michigan State in 1967 - a group led by Bubba Smith. Via ESPN Research. #Ohiostate https://t.co/4RtzZJF8Nk
— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) March 25, 2026

Smith had the most notable career of this crop. He helped the Colts win Super Bowl V. That's the only Lombardi Trophy they hoisted in Baltimore before moving to Indianapolis in 1984. After retiring from the NFL following the 1976 season, he became an actor best known for his role as Moses Hightower in the "Police Academy" movies.

Which Ohio State players could be drafted in the top 10?

As of Monday, NFL Mock Draft Database projects that four Buckeyes will go in the top 10: linebacker Arvell Reese (New York Jets, pick No. 2), linebacker Sonny Styles (New York Giants, pick No. 5), wide receiver Carnell Tate (Cleveland Browns, pick No. 6) and safety Caleb Downs (Cincinnati Bengals, pick No. 10).

Reese (6-foot-4, 241 pounds), Styles (6-foot-5, 244 pounds) and Downs (6-foot, 206 pounds) starred for a defense that allowed 10 points per game in 2026, No. 1 in FBS. Tate (6-foot-2, 192 pounds, meanwhile, earned a second-team All-American nod after logging 875 receiving yards in 11 games.

With all that talent, how did the Buckeyes not win the national title last season?

Clark Dalton

Clark Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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