Ohio State's Five First-Round Gems: Buckeyes Headed to Pittsburgh for the 2026 NFL Draft

The special nature of spring in Columbus becomes evident through the red carpet invitation which five Ohio State Buckeyes receive for the NFL Draft. The five players which include Caleb Downs, Arvell Reese, Sonny Styles, Carnell Tate, and Kayden McDonald will all compete in the first round of the draft when they appear at the Pittsburgh event which starts on April 23. My experience watching this program has developed my ability to recognize talent, and the current group of players appears to be a once-in-a-generation recruitment which demonstrates why Ohio State produces NFL players at such a high rate.

The Historic Pipeline That's Turning Heads

If all five of these guys go in the first round — and the mocks say it's very likely — Ohio State ties its own school record for first-round picks in a single draft. Four of them (Downs, Reese, Styles, and Tate) are sitting in the top-15 conversation, with serious buzz about three or even all four cracking the top 10. That's not just good. That's legendary territory. The last time a school had four top-10 picks in one year? You have to go back decades. This is the kind of night that Buckeye fans will be talking about for years.

Defensive Dominance: The Heart of This Class

Start with the defense, because that's where the Buckeyes have been stacked lately. Caleb Downs, who transferred to the team and played safety, became the vital force driving secondary performance in his new role. He displays complete defensive range combined with exceptional ball-handling abilities and natural intuition, which enables him to compete as a top-five player in most mock drafts. The linebackers feature two players who stand at least 6 feet 4 inches tall and who recorded 4.46 seconds in their 40-yard dash during the Combine. With his 6.5 sacks from last season, Reese possesses edge-rushing abilities, while Styles functions as a versatile middle linebacker who excels at both run defense and pass protection. The defensive tackle does not receive as much media attention but he operated as the fundamental player who enabled all others to pursue tackles. NFL teams will be attracted to his combination of strength and relentless work ethic.

Carnell Tate: The Offensive Game-Changer

On the other side of the ball, Carnell Tate is the wide receiver prospect who currently attracts all the attention from NFL scouts. His speed does not make him the fastest player on the field but his exceptional skills in catching the ball and controlling his body and winning battles for the ball make him an elite athlete. He has been projected to become a top-10 draft pick who will immediately become the team's primary wide receiver. The highlights of his performance will accumulate on Sundays when he plays with an effective quarterback.

What This Means for Ryan Day and Buckeye Nation

Beyond the individual talent, this draft class is proof of the culture Ryan Day has built in Columbus. These aren't just five random dudes — they're the product of elite recruiting, development, and competition that pushes everyone to be great. For fans, it's exciting to see the next wave of Buckeyes going pro. For the program, it's fuel to keep the pipeline flowing. You can check out the full official draft details and order right here on NFL.com.

And if you're the type who likes to geek out on film (like I do), head over to this page on efilmroom.com for the in-depth breakdowns that show exactly why these five are headed for the first round.

Watch the Hype: Breakdown of the Top Buckeye Prospects

This breakdown video has been making the rounds — it's got the tape, the Pro Day reactions, and exactly why these guys are must-watch prospects. If you haven't seen it yet, do yourself a favor and hit play.

The main point is that Ohio State fans will enjoy April 23. The NFL draft selection will announce five players who the entire league considers draft prospects. Buckeye Nation, get ready to celebrate.

Buckeyes Land a Big One in the Portal: Terry Moore Coming Over from Duke

 The transfer portal has been giving Ohio State fans some huge presents lately. Just today—January 12, 2026—former Duke safety Terry Moore declared his move to Columbus. This guy's a true game-changer and after the departure of some important defenders the Buckeyes required the very same addition. It has been a matter of discussion among people, and to tell the truth, it gives the impression that Ryan Day is already set for another championship run without having to wait.

Moore's Path: From Duke Star to Buckeye Hopeful

When you contemplate Terry Moore's tale, it appears to be quite an exciting one. The massive guy of 6-foot height and 200-pound weight began his college journey at Duke as a running back in 2022 – indeed, you heard it correctly. But then he chose to make a shift to the secondary and this was the spot where he truly shone in 2023. The year 2024 was the turning point in his career: huge heap of tackles (71), 7 tackled for loss, 4 interceptions, forced fumbles, you name it. He received second-team All-ACC recognition and his name was even mentioned in All-America debates. His PFF grade was ridiculous—90.1, best among Power Four safeties that year.

Then came the tough part: he tore his ACL in Duke's bowl game after the 2024 season (the Gator Bowl against Ole Miss, where he actually had a huge pick-six return before going down). He sat out all of 2025 recovering, but now he's got that final year of eligibility and he's ready to go. Reports say he's on track health-wise, and with Ohio State's training staff, I'd bet on him being back to full speed.

This move comes right on the heels of another big safety pickup—Earl Little Jr. from Florida State committed just yesterday. Two former All-ACC guys in back-to-back days? That's not an accident. The staff is clearly targeting veteran talent to steady the secondary.

What He Actually Brings to Columbus

Look, Moore isn't some project or depth guy—he's proven. Versatile as heck: he can cover, tackle in the box, blitz, you name it. Those 2024 numbers don't lie—he was disruptive and smart. For a defense that was elite in 2025 under Matt Patricia (No. 1 in the country in a bunch of categories), but now has to replace stars like Caleb Downs (who just declared for the 2026 NFL Draft and is projected as a top-10 pick), Moore fills a real need.

The ACL thing is the only real question mark, but come on—he's young, motivated, and landing in a program like this with top-tier resources. If he gets back to even close to his 2024 form, he's going to be a difference-maker. Imagine him flying around with the rest of that unit? Scary for the Big Ten.

The Safety Room Right Now: Who's Left and Who's Coming

The secondary took some hits this offseason. Caleb Downs is gone to the pros after two unreal years (two-time unanimous All-American—insane). Then you had guys like Malik Hartford and Faheem Delane hitting the portal themselves, so depth got thin quick.

But the good news? Jaylen McClain is back and ready to anchor things. The guy's been a starter, played big snaps alongside Downs last year, and he's got that experience now. He's probably the strong safety leader moving forward.

You've also got younger pieces like redshirt sophomore Leroy Roker III, who saw some action and has upside, plus a few freshmen/redshirts waiting in the wings (Deshawn Stewart, Cody Haddad, etc.).

Now throw in Moore and Earl Little Jr.—both battle-tested All-ACC transfers—and suddenly the room looks a lot deeper and more veteran. Not many players might challenge Little for the free safety or nickel spots, but Moore might be able to claim a starting role right away with his production. There is a good combination of both rookies and experienced players; however, this is precisely what you need if you want to retain your elite status.

Why This Feels Like a Game-Changer for 2026

Ohio State wrapped up 2025 at 12-2, with that Cotton Bowl loss to Miami stinging a bit after such a dominant defense all year. But losing guys to the draft and portal happens—it's the new normal. The key is responding, and Day's staff has been aggressive. Seven portal additions already, and Moore is one of the best ones.

This feels like the piece that keeps the defense humming under Patricia (who, by the way, is reportedly in talks for a big extension—smart move after what he did in year one). If Moore stays healthy and buys in, the Buckeyes could have one of the scariest secondaries in the country again.

Portal season is wild, but moves like this are why Ohio State stays in the title conversation every year. What do you guys think—is Moore going to start right away, or is he more of a rotation beast? Either way, Go Bucks. This offseason is heating up fast!

Jeremiah Smith Shines in Ohio State Debut Against Akron

The buzz surrounding Ohio State freshman wide receiver Jeremiah Smith was palpable before he even stepped on the field. And boy, did he make his debut with Akron!

Early Nerves, Quick Recovery

At the start of the match, one could sense thrill oozing from every corner. It was not long before Smith, who happened to be ranked as the topmost talked about recruit in the Top247, gave reason for all that hypes about him. Although he slipped straightaway while attempting his debut goal, he recovered very fast and continued with high energy results.

Making His Mark

Lined up outside, Smith faced a one-on-one against an Akron cornerback. Quarterback Will Howard, making his own debut for Ohio State, delivered a beautiful pass. Smith turned his body and made a sensational reception through coverage for Ohio State's first touchdown of the season and the first of his career. The crowd went wild, and you could see the relief and joy on Smith's face as he celebrated with his teammates.

But that was only the beginning. Smith added another touchdown soon after and finished the game with six receptions for 92 yards. He showed his ability to stretch the field, making a nice adjustment on a 45-yard completion downfield, and lined up all over the field with a flash of versatility and even once made a one-handed catch that surprised everyone.

Heartfelt Dedication

One of the most touching moments came after the game when Smith talked about his journey to Ohio State. He shared a personal story about how his late grandfather was his biggest fan and he always believed in making it big. "I felt like he was with me today," Smith said, choking back tears. "This game was for him."

Other Standout Performances

Smith’s performance wasn’t just a highlight for Ohio State. Quarterback Will Howard showed promise with his passing and on-field leadership despite being new to the team. Safety Caleb Downs, a widely touted transfer from Alabama, made a huge impact in his debut, showing off his defensive prowess with several key tackles and a crucial interception.

Smith's performance has already drawn comparisons from some of the best receivers in the country, and Ohio State has clearly found another star. As the Buckeyes look ahead to the rest of the season, fans can’t wait to see what Smith does next.

Therefore, if previously you had not shown any interest in Ohio State football, let the first appearance of Jeremiah Smith provide you with many reasons to start following it now. A lot of bonuses and incredible experiences here!