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The Ohio State Buckeyes went on a run this past fall through the College Football Playoff to secure the program's first national championship since 2014. Ohio State was powered by top talent on both offense and defense and many of those players are heading to the NFL in 2025.
The Buckeyes should be well represented on offense in April's draft in Green Bay, Wis., with nearly a dozen players likely to be selected in the first three rounds. Wide receiver Emeka Egbuka is one of the top prospects at the position and a likely first-round pick. Offensive linemen should go early as well with Donovan Jackson offering a versatile skillset and Josh Simmons projecting as one of the top tackles in the class.
2025 NFL draft: Pro days schedule for college football prospects
On the other side of the ball, defensive tackle Tyleik Williams is in contention for the first round in a deep class at the position thanks to his mix of size, athleticism and high floor as a run defender.
The Buckeyes' backfield tandem of TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins may not crack the first round but they're near-locks for Day 2 of the draft. Same goes for edge rushers J.T. Tuimoloau and Jack Sawyer.
The top talent from the national champions will help teams across the NFL. Here's where experts predict the top Buckeyes prospects - Egbuka, Simmons, Jackson and Williams - will end up in the first round.
Egbuka is one of the top wide receiver prospects because of his plug-and-play skillset in the slot position. His game is reminiscent of fellow Ohio State product Jaxon Smith-Njigba and he'd be an immediate contributor to any passing game as a rookie.
Simmons was a lock to be a top-10 pick early on in 2024 and potentially the first tackle off the board before a season-ending knee injury suffered against Oregon mid-season. If healthy, he should be a first-round pick.
Jackson filled in for Simmons following his injury and played well after playing solely as a guard in his Ohio State career. He's more likely to end up at guard but has proven versatility that teams should covet at the NFL level.
Williams is part of a very deep interior defensive line class and offers upside as a massive interior presence, especially against the run. He has the tools to become a better pass rusher with time but it'll take some development.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2025 NFL mock draft: Ohio State prospect predictions
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The Buckeyes should be well represented on offense in April's draft in Green Bay, Wis., with nearly a dozen players likely to be selected in the first three rounds. Wide receiver Emeka Egbuka is one of the top prospects at the position and a likely first-round pick. Offensive linemen should go early as well with Donovan Jackson offering a versatile skillset and Josh Simmons projecting as one of the top tackles in the class.
2025 NFL draft: Pro days schedule for college football prospects
On the other side of the ball, defensive tackle Tyleik Williams is in contention for the first round in a deep class at the position thanks to his mix of size, athleticism and high floor as a run defender.
The Buckeyes' backfield tandem of TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins may not crack the first round but they're near-locks for Day 2 of the draft. Same goes for edge rushers J.T. Tuimoloau and Jack Sawyer.
The top talent from the national champions will help teams across the NFL. Here's where experts predict the top Buckeyes prospects - Egbuka, Simmons, Jackson and Williams - will end up in the first round.
Ohio State Buckeyes NFL mock draft roundup
WR Emeka Egbuka
Egbuka is one of the top wide receiver prospects because of his plug-and-play skillset in the slot position. His game is reminiscent of fellow Ohio State product Jaxon Smith-Njigba and he'd be an immediate contributor to any passing game as a rookie.
- CBS Sports: No. 25 overall to the Houston Texans
- 33rd Team: No. 25 overall to the Houston Texans
- ESPN: No. 30 overall to the Buffalo Bills
- Pro Football Focus: No. 23 overall to the Green Bay Packers
OT Josh Simmons
Simmons was a lock to be a top-10 pick early on in 2024 and potentially the first tackle off the board before a season-ending knee injury suffered against Oregon mid-season. If healthy, he should be a first-round pick.
- CBS Sports: No. 31 overall to the Kansas City Chiefs
- 33rd Team: No. 31 overall to the Kansas City Chiefs
- ESPN: No. 13 overall to the Miami Dolphins
- Pro Football Focus: No. 32 overall to the Philadelphia Eagles
OL Donovan Jackson
Jackson filled in for Simmons following his injury and played well after playing solely as a guard in his Ohio State career. He's more likely to end up at guard but has proven versatility that teams should covet at the NFL level.
- CBS Sports: No. 16 overall to the Arizona Cardinals
- The Draft Network: No. 18 overall to the Seattle Seahawks
- Underdog Fantasy: No. 27 overall to the Baltimore Ravens
- NFL.com: No. 28 overall to the Detroit Lions
DT Tyleik Williams
Williams is part of a very deep interior defensive line class and offers upside as a massive interior presence, especially against the run. He has the tools to become a better pass rusher with time but it'll take some development.
- CBS Sports: No. 16 overall to the Arizona Cardinals
- The Draft Network: No. 18 overall to the Seattle Seahawks
- Underdog Fantasy: No. 27 overall to the Baltimore Ravens
- NFL.com: No. 28 overall to the Detroit Lions
The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2025 NFL mock draft: Ohio State prospect predictions
Continue reading...
