Colin GayColumbus Dispatch
In comparison to past NFL drafts, 2024 proved to be a bit of a down year for Ohio State.
The Buckeyes had four players selected — the team's lowest total since 2013 — and one first-round selection in wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. But all of that could change in 2025.
Ohio State is set to have multiple first-round prospects heading into the 2024 season including multiple members of a defense that has not had a first-round pick since 2020.
Ohio State NFL draft prospects: Ohio State's best available players in NFL draft: Top prospects for Day 3
Here's a look at where major publications are having Ohio State players selected in the first round of the 2025 NFL draft.
J.T. Tuimoloau — Defensive end
- Associated Press: No. 11 Seattle Seahawks
- CBS Sports: No. 5 New York Giants
- USA Today: No. 19 New Orleans Saints
- Bleacher Report: No. 25 Philadelphia Eagles
- Fox Sports: No. 1 Carolina Panthers
J.T. Tuimoloau has the chance to end Ohio State's drought of first-round defensive linemen. The former five-star defensive end could be the first OSU defensive end selected in the first round since Chase Young was the No. 2 overall pick in 2020. Tuimoloau could be viewed as one of the top defensive ends in the draft along with Georgia's Mykel Williams, Tennessee's James Pearce Jr. and Mississippi's Princely Umanmielen.
Emeka Egbuka — Wide receiver
- CBS Sports: No. 14 Indianapolis Colts
- USA Today: No. 20 Houston Texans
- Bleacher Report: No. 12 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Fox Sports: No. 5 Tennessee Titans
Emeka Egbuka has the chance to be Ohio State's fifth first-round wide receiver in four draft classes following Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave, Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Harrison. With one 1,000-yard season on his resume, Egbuka is in the running to be one of the first wide receivers off the board in 2025 along with Texas A&M's Noah Thomas and Missouri's Luther Burden.
Donovan Jackson — Offensive guard
- CBS Sports: No. 16 Jacksonville Jaguars
- USA Today: No. 27 Detroit Lions
- Bleacher Report: No. 18 Chicago Bears
- Fox Sports: No. 13 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Donovan Jackson is expected to become the next first-round offensive lineman to come out of Ohio State, which has had three first-round lineman since 2016: Paris Johnson Jr., Billy Price and Taylor Decker. With offensive tackles available like Texas' Kelvin Banks Jr., LSU's Will Campbell and Georgia's Earnest Green III, Jackson is expected to be the first interior lineman selected.
Denzel Burke — Cornerback
- Associated Press: No. 29 Buffalo Bills
- CBS Sports: No. 8 Minnesota Vikings
- USA Today: No. 18 Green Bay Packers
- Bleacher Report: No. 23 Green Bay Packers
- Fox Sports: No. 27 Buffalo Bills
Much like Ohio State's drought of first-round defensive linemen, Denzel Burke could end the team's drought of first-round cornerbacks. Burke is widely viewed as the Buckeyes' first first-round cornerback since Jeff Okudah went No. 3 overall in the 2020 draft. While Colorado's Travis Hunter and Michigan's Will Johnson are consistently at the top of draft boards, Burke could be picked along with players such as Notre Dame's Benjamin Morrison later in the first round.
Tyleik Williams — Defensive tackle
- Associated Press: No. 24 Atlanta Falcons
- CBS Sports: No. 17 Cleveland Browns
- USA Today: No. 24 Miami Dolphins
While Ohio State has not had a first-round defensive lineman since 2020, it's been even longer for a first-round defensive tackle. Tyleik Williams has the chance to be the Buckeyes' first first-round defensive tackle since Cameron Heyward in 2011. Williams is viewed as one of the top defensive tackle prospects in the 2025 draft along with Michigan's Mason Graham and Mississippi's Walter Nolan.
Jordan Hanco*ck — Cornerback
- Associated Press: No. 23 Green Bay Packers
Ohio State could have two first-round cornerbacks next April. While Burke starts alongside Davison Igbinosun, who will also be draft eligible after the 2024 season, Jordan Hanco*ck has the chance to get first-round looks as the Buckeyes' starter at nickel. If Hanco*ck is selected, Ohio State would have two first-round cornerbacks for the first time since 2020 when Okudah and Damon Arnette were each selected in the first 19 picks.
Jack Sawyer — Defensive end
- CBS Sports: No. 28 Buffalo Bills
- USA Today: No. 29 Baltimore Ravens
- Bleacher Report: No. 29 Detroit Lions
Tuimoloau may not be the only Ohio State defensive end picked in the 2025 draft. Jack Sawyer is being viewed as a late first-round option along with players such as Penn State's Abdul Carter and Texas A&M's Nic Scourton. Ohio State has never had multiple first-round defensive linemen in the same NFL draft.
Josh Simmons — Offensive tackle
- Bleacher Report: No. 30 Baltimore Ravens
Could Ohio State have multiple first-round offensive linemen for the first time since 1975? Josh Simmons could give the Buckeyes a chance after his second season in Columbus and his second as OSU's starting left tackle.
Quinshon Judkins — Running back
- CBS Sports: No. 32 San Francisco 49ers
- Fox Sports: No. 31 Kansas City Chiefs
One of the newest members of Ohio State's running backs room could get a first-round look next April. Quinshon Judkins, a two-time 1,000-yard rusher at Mississippi could be one of the first running backs selected in the 2025 draft along with Oklahoma State's Ollie Gordon II and Ohio State's TreVeyon Henderson.
