Ohio State has basically turned the NFL Draft into a Buckeye satellite campus. Every single year, we hear the same thing about the "pipeline," but looking at the Ohio State football draft prospects for 2026, it’s actually getting a little ridiculous. If you thought the 2025 class was deep—remember, Emeka Egbuka went 19th to the Bucs and Donovan Jackson landed with the Vikings in the first—this next group is somehow more top-heavy.
We are talking about legitimate, blue-chip, top-10-overall talent.
Scouts are currently obsessing over three names in particular: Caleb Downs, Arvell Reese, and Carnell Tate. Honestly, if all three go in the top 15, nobody in the scouting community will even blink. It's the kind of high-end density that makes NFL GMs stay up late watching Big Ten tape.
The Lockdown King: Caleb Downs
Let’s be real for a second. Caleb Downs might be the best defensive player in the country, period. After transferring from Alabama and winning the Jim Thorpe Award, he has nothing left to prove in college. He’s 6'0", 205 pounds of pure instinct.
Downs isn't just a safety. He’s a chess piece.
NFL teams are looking for the next Kyle Hamilton or Antoine Winfield Jr., and Downs fits that "do-everything" mold. He can play in the box, cover a slot receiver, or play single-high. In 2025, he put up 68 tackles and a couple of picks, but the stats don't show how many times quarterbacks just... stopped looking his way. The Cincinnati Bengals are already being linked to him in early mocks at pick No. 10. They need that secondary help, and Downs is as "pro-ready" as they come.
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Arvell Reese: The New Hybrid Freak
If Downs is the brain of the defense, Arvell Reese is the hammer. This kid exploded in 2025. He’s 6'4", 243 pounds, and he moves like a wide receiver.
One play he’s stacking a tackle at the line of scrimmage; the next, he’s 30 yards downfield chasing a running back. It’s violent. That’s the word scouts keep using: violent. He announced his intention to enter the 2026 draft right after the regular season, and the hype train hasn't slowed down since.
Some people are comparing him to Micah Parsons because he can play off-ball linebacker or put his hand in the dirt and rush the passer. He finished the season with 6.5 sacks. For a guy who spends half his time in coverage, that's insane. The New York Giants, currently picking at No. 5, are the rumored favorite here. They need a playmaker who can't be accounted for by a single blocker, and Reese is exactly that.
The Receiver Pipeline Never Clogs
It feels like Brian Hartline just grows these guys in a lab.
Carnell Tate is the next one. With Emeka Egbuka off to Tampa Bay, Tate stepped into the WR1 role and looked effortless doing it. He’s 6'3", which gives him that massive catch radius, but his route running is what's actually special. It's smooth. He glides. He doesn't look like he's running hard, yet he’s always five yards clear of the cornerback.
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- Height/Weight: 6-3, 195 lbs
- 2025 Stats: 875 yards, 9 TDs
- Draft Projection: Top 15
Keep an eye on the Cleveland Browns at No. 6. They need a true No. 1 wideout to help whoever is under center, and Tate is a local-ish kid who already knows how to play in the cold.
The Surprising Depth You Aren't Tracking
Everyone talks about the big three, but this 2026 class has some "hidden" gems that aren't really hidden if you actually watch the games. Sonny Styles is a fascinating evaluation. He was a safety, then a nickel, and now he’s a 6'5", 243-pound linebacker.
He’s huge.
FantasyPros recently called him one of the tallest, longest linebackers you'll ever see. He’s a weak-side "Will" linebacker who can run with tight ends. He missed only 2.2% of his tackles this year, which is basically an elite, NFL-level efficiency rate. He might slip to the late first or early second round just because teams aren't quite sure where to put him, but the Dallas Cowboys are reportedly sniffing around him at pick 12.
Then there’s Kayden McDonald.
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He’s a 326-pound mountain in the middle of the defensive line. He’s a unanimous All-American, but because he plays defensive tackle, he doesn't get the highlight reels. NFL teams love him because he eats double teams for breakfast, allowing guys like Reese to run free. He’s a lock for the first round, probably in the 20-30 range.
What Most People Get Wrong About Jeremiah Smith
Here is the thing. You're going to see Jeremiah Smith's name everywhere. You'll see people saying he's the best prospect on the team.
They aren't wrong.
But he isn't in the 2026 NFL Draft. Because of the "three years out of high school" rule, Smith has to wait until 2027. He’s the undisputed 1.01 for that year, but for this upcoming April, he’s just a spectator. Don't let the mock drafts confuse you; the 2026 Ohio State football draft prospects list is headed by Tate and Downs, not Smith.
Actionable Insights for the 2026 Draft Cycle
If you are following these prospects, here is how you should be watching the next few months:
- The Combine is Key for Arvell Reese: If he runs a sub-4.5 forty at 240+ pounds, he might actually jump into the top 3. His athleticism is his calling card.
- Watch the Safety Market: Safety isn't always a "premium" position in the top 10, but Caleb Downs is an exception. If he goes top 5, it changes how teams value the position for the next decade.
- The "Transfer" Factor: Notice how many of these guys (Downs, Quinshon Judkins) came through the portal. Ohio State has mastered the art of taking established stars and polishing them for the NFL.
- Quinshon Judkins' Stock: He’s a beast, but he’s a running back. Even with his power and vision, he's likely a second-round pick simply because of how the NFL treats the position nowadays.
The Buckeyes are poised to potentially break their own record for first-rounders in a single year. Between the defensive versatility of Reese and Styles, the lockdown secondary play of Downs, and the elite receiving of Tate, the Scarlet and Gray will be all over the podium in Pittsburgh this April.
Next Steps for Draft Fans:
- Monitor the Senior Bowl: While many of these underclassmen won't be there, keep an eye on guys like Max Klare (TE) who might use the platform to jump into the second round.
- Check Medical Reports: Quinshon Judkins has had some minor dings; his "pro day" health will determine if he’s a top-40 pick or a late-Friday faller.
- Watch the Bengals/Browns Draft Order: Both teams are in desperate need of the exact talent Ohio State is producing this year, making the "staying in Ohio" narrative very real for Downs or Tate.