If you walked into an NFL locker room this morning, there is a statistically high chance you’d see a pair of scarlet and gray cleats tucked under a bench. Honestly, it’s getting a little ridiculous. As we hit the midpoint of January 2026, the Ohio State University has basically turned into a finishing school for the professional ranks. We aren’t just talking about a few guys hanging onto practice squads, either.
Right now, there are 55 Buckeyes on active 53-man rosters. That is more than one player for every single team in the league, though a few squads like the Cardinals and Browns are hogging them with six apiece.
When you look at the Buckeyes in the NFL today, you’re seeing a total shift in how the league views Columbus talent. It used to be that Ohio State produced "system" players who looked great in the Big Ten but struggled with the speed of the pros. Not anymore. Now? They are the speed. From C.J. Stroud’s surgical precision in Houston to the Bosa brothers basically living in opposing backfields, the "OSU" sticker on a helmet has become the gold standard for GMs.
The 2025 Draft Class: A Massive Influx of Talent
Last April was a fever dream for Buckeye fans. Fourteen players. Fourteen. That’s nearly a quarter of a full NFL roster drafted in a single weekend. The first round alone felt like an Ohio State infomercial.
Tampa Bay took Emeka Egbuka at 19, and he’s already looking like the heir apparent to Mike Evans. Then you had the big boys. Donovan Jackson went to the Vikings at 24, and Tyleik Williams joined the Lions at 28. It’s funny—Jackson actually had to slide over to tackle at the end of his college career because of injuries, but Minnesota has him back at guard where he’s currently Mauling people.
Quick Breakdown of the 2025 Top Picks:
- Emeka Egbuka (WR, Bucs): Pick 19. Total contract value over $18 million. He’s already Julian Sayin’s—err, I mean, he was the reliable safety valve in college and is doing the same for Baker Mayfield.
- Donovan Jackson (OG, Vikings): Pick 24. He’s been a Day 1 starter in the interior.
- Tyleik Williams (DT, Lions): Pick 28. Dan Campbell basically salivates over guys like this. Williams is 320 pounds but moves like a linebacker.
- Josh Simmons (OT, Chiefs): Pick 32. Even with a knee injury that ended his final college season early, the Chiefs saw the tape and pulled the trigger. Keeping Mahomes clean is a priority, and Simmons is a wall.
Then you get into the "steals." Jack Sawyer and Will Howard both landed in Pittsburgh. Watching Sawyer in a Steelers jersey just feels right. It’s that blue-collar, high-motor energy that Mike Tomlin loves. Howard is currently developmental, sitting behind the vets, but his 73% completion rate in his final year at OSU showed he’s got the brain for the league.
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Why C.J. Stroud Changed the Narrative Forever
Before Stroud, there was a weird, almost superstitious cloud over Ohio State quarterbacks. People pointed at Justin Fields’ struggles in Chicago or Dwayne Haskins’ tragic career and said, "Buckeye QBs can’t win."
C.J. Stroud didn't just break that narrative; he nuked it from orbit.
His 2024-25 season was statistically one of the best for a sophomore QB in history. He threw for over 3,700 yards despite a porous offensive line and injuries to his wideouts. He led the Texans to an AFC South title and a playoff win. When we talk about Buckeyes in the NFL, Stroud is the face of the movement. He plays with a level of "calm" that you usually only see in guys who have been in the league for a decade.
He’s currently the 10th highest-rated player among all former Buckeyes in the league, but if you ask any defensive coordinator, he’s probably top three on their "nightmare" list.
The Defensive Wall: Bosas, Ward, and the New Era
If the offense is about flash, the defense is about pure, unadulterated violence. The Bosa family legacy is well-documented, but Nick Bosa is still the benchmark. He’s essentially a 1-of-1 human being. But look at what Denzel Ward is doing in Cleveland. He’s been a lockdown corner for years, and his 4-year, $29 million contract reflects that.
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The interesting part of the current 2026 landscape is the rise of the "Hybrid" Buckeye. Take Jonathon Cooper in Denver. He was a 7th-round flyer in 2021. In 2024, he went off for 10.5 sacks. He’s one of only seven players in the league to record 50+ tackles and double-digit sacks in a season. That’s the "OSU development" scouts are obsessed with.
The 2026 Draft: Who's Next?
It doesn't stop. It never stops. We already have the next wave of "Sunday Players" declaring.
- Arvell Reese: The LB/Edge hybrid. He’s being compared to Micah Parsons. Let that sink in. He’s a legitimate candidate for the No. 1 overall pick this spring.
- Caleb Downs: The safety who transferred from Alabama and then dominated the Big Ten. He’s a projected top-5 pick. Scouts are calling him a "future All-Pro" before he’s even taken a snap in a preseason game.
- Carnell Tate: Another receiver from the Brian Hartline factory. Washington is already being linked to him to pair with fellow Buckeye Terry McLaurin.
The "Hartline Effect" and Wide Receiver U
You can't talk about Buckeyes in the NFL without mentioning the wide receivers. It’s getting a bit ridiculous. Garrett Wilson (Jets), Chris Olave (Saints), Terry McLaurin (Commanders), Jaxon Smith-Njigba (Seahawks), and now Marvin Harrison Jr. (Cardinals).
Marvin Harrison Jr. is basically a lab-grown wide receiver. In Arizona, he’s already the primary target. The common thread between all these guys? Route running. They don't just run fast; they understand leverage. They know how to "blind" a cornerback. That’s why OSU receivers transition to the NFL faster than almost any other position group from any other school.
The Financial Impact: Making It Rain
Being a Buckeye is profitable.
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- Joey Bosa has career earnings north of $240 million.
- Cameron Heyward, the ageless wonder in Pittsburgh, is pushing $193 million.
- Nick Bosa is right there at $173 million.
Total earnings for active Buckeyes in the NFL are in the billions. This isn't just about pride; it's a massive economic engine. When Ryan Day sits in a recruit's living room, he doesn't have to sell a dream. He just has to show them the bank accounts of the guys who left two years ago.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Pipeline
The biggest misconception is that these guys succeed because they are "more athletic" than everyone else. Honestly, that’s lazy.
The real reason Buckeyes dominate the NFL is the competition in practice. Imagine being a freshman receiver at Ohio State. Every day in practice, you have to go against Denzel Burke or Jordan Hancock. If you’re an offensive lineman like Paris Johnson Jr., you spent years trying to block J.T. Tuimoloau.
The NFL is a job. Ohio State is the internship that actually prepares you for the workload. By the time these guys get to a training camp in Florham Park or Flowery Branch, they’ve already played in front of 110,000 people against future first-rounders every Saturday.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Bettors
If you’re following these players or looking at how they impact your fantasy roster or betting slips, keep a few things in mind:
- Look for the "Year 2 Leap": Buckeye players traditionally explode in their second pro season once they’ve mastered the playbook. Paris Johnson Jr. is a prime example—he went from a solid rookie to a top-12 tackle in his second year.
- Watch the Pittsburgh Connection: With Jack Sawyer, Will Howard, and Cam Heyward all in the building, the Steelers have effectively become "OSU North." Their defensive identity is heavily influenced by Columbus.
- Monitor the 2026 Draft Order: If a team like the Titans or Giants needs an edge rusher and has a top-3 pick, Arvell Reese is the name that will dominate the headlines.
The pipeline isn't slowing down. If anything, it’s widening. Whether it's the star power of C.J. Stroud or the gritty reliability of Taylor Decker in Detroit, the Buckeyes have effectively taken over the NFL landscape in 2026.