Honestly, if you watched Ohio State at all last season, you knew the 2025 NFL Draft was going to be a "Scarlet and Gray" takeover. It wasn't just a good year; it was a historic one. After finally grabbing that elusive national title in the new 12-team playoff format, the Buckeyes essentially moved their entire locker room to the professional ranks.
So, let's get right to the number everyone is asking about. Exactly 14 Ohio State Buckeyes were drafted in 2025. That is a massive number. To put it in perspective, it ties the program's all-time record set back in 2004. It also meant Ohio State led every other school in the country for total selections this year, just barely edging out Georgia, who finished with 13. While they fell one pick short of the all-time seven-round record (held by 2022 Georgia), nobody in Columbus is complaining.
The First Round Fireworks
The draft started with a bang for Ryan Day’s crew. While some years the Buckeyes are known for having one "superstar" at the top, 2025 was about depth and high-end starters across the board.
Emeka Egbuka was the first off the board, going No. 19 overall to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. It makes sense. He's been the model of consistency. Shortly after, the "big boys" up front got their due. Donovan Jackson headed to the Minnesota Vikings at No. 24, followed by defensive tackle Tyleik Williams going to the Detroit Lions at No. 28. To cap off the perfect Thursday night, the Kansas City Chiefs took Josh Simmons with the final pick of the first round at No. 32.
Four first-rounders. That led all schools. It also pushed Ohio State's total to 95 all-time first-round picks—the most in the history of the NFL Draft.
Breaking Down the Full List of Drafted Buckeyes
The talent didn't stop on Thursday. Rounds two through seven were basically a parade of Buckeyes.
Friday's Early Action (Rounds 2-3)
The second round saw a run on the "bread and butter" of the 2024 championship team. The Cleveland Browns stayed local, grabbing Quinshon Judkins at No. 36. Just two picks later, his backfield partner TreVeyon Henderson went to the New England Patriots at No. 38. Seeing both elite backs go that high was a testament to how Ohio State managed their touches. Then, the Indianapolis Colts took JT Tuimoloau at No. 45.
The Saturday Surge (Rounds 4-7)
Saturday is usually where the "glue guys" get picked, but for Ohio State, it was still full of starters. Here is how the rest of the board looked:
- Cody Simon (LB): Round 4, No. 115 to the Arizona Cardinals.
- Lathan Ransom (S): Round 4, No. 122 to the Carolina Panthers.
- Jack Sawyer (DE): Round 4, No. 123 to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
- Ty Hamilton (DT): Round 5, No. 148 to the Los Angeles Rams.
- Jordan Hancock (CB): Round 5, No. 170 to the Buffalo Bills.
- Denzel Burke (CB): Round 5, No. 174 to the Arizona Cardinals.
- Will Howard (QB): Round 6, No. 185 to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
It's kinda wild to see a guy like Denzel Burke or Jack Sawyer—players who were the heartbeat of a national championship defense—available on Day 3. But that just shows how deep this 2025 class was.
Why This 2025 Class Was Different
Usually, when a team has 14 players drafted, it’s because they had a bunch of "one-and-done" talents. This wasn't that. This was the "New Heights" crew—guys who mostly stayed back for their senior years to win a ring.
Think about it. Jack Sawyer, J.T. Tuimoloau, Tyleik Williams, and Ty Hamilton. That entire starting defensive line stayed in school together and then got drafted together. That basically never happens in modern college football. NFL scouts I’ve talked to mentioned that the "maturity" of this Ohio State class was the highest they'd seen in years. These weren't just athletes; they were polished pros.
Even Will Howard, who came in as a transfer, found his home in the sixth round with the Steelers. He’ll be joining Jack Sawyer in Pittsburgh, which is a fun storyline for Buckeyes fans to follow.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Numbers
People look at the "14" and think Ohio State just got lucky with a talented year. Honestly, it was a calculated risk by the coaching staff and the NIL boosters. By keeping that core together for 2024, they ensured they’d have a massive "exit" in 2025.
The surprising part? Even with 14 guys taken, a few key contributors like Seth McLaughlin and Josh Fryar ended up as priority undrafted free agents (UDFA). If those two had been late-round flyers, Ohio State would have comfortably broken the all-time record.
Actionable Takeaways for the Future
If you're a fan trying to keep up with all these new pros, here is what you should do next:
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- Follow the Cardinals and Steelers: These two teams are now "Buckeye West" and "Buckeye East." Arizona has Cody Simon and Denzel Burke, while Pittsburgh has Jack Sawyer and Will Howard.
- Watch the Trench Play: Don't just look for the skill players. Keep an eye on Donovan Jackson in Minnesota and Tyleik Williams in Detroit. Both are projected to be day-one starters in the interior.
- Keep an eye on the UDFA wire: Seth McLaughlin signing with a team as a free agent might be the "steal" of the post-draft cycle given his experience at center.
The 2025 NFL Draft was a definitive "mission accomplished" moment for the program. They got the ring, and then they got the bags. Now, the focus shifts to how Ryan Day replaces 14 NFL-caliber players in one offseason.
Next Steps: You can track the progress of these 14 rookies throughout the NFL preseason by checking the official NFL transaction wire or following the Ohio State Football social media accounts, which usually post weekly "Buckeyes in the Pros" updates.