Ohio State Has a Historic 2026 NFL Draft

Ohio State led all schools in National Football League draft picks in 2026 with 11 for the second year in a row. However, that is not the only amazing fact about the draft success the Buckeyes had this year. The team also tied several impressive records. Having draft success draws recruits to the team, helping them get more draft picks in the future.

Ohio State had four players selected in the first 11 picks. That was only the third time a school had four players selected in the first 11 picks. The first time that happened was in 1946, when four Notre Dame players were picked. In 1967, Michigan State had four players selected in the first eight players picked. Do you think the Buckeyes could have had a better draft?

Ohio State Draft Class Facts and Figures

The Ohio State players who were selected in the National Football League draft were Carnell Tate (4), Arvell Reese (5), Sonny Styles (7), Caleb Downs (11), Kayden McDonald (36), Max Kale (61), Davidson Igbinosun (62), Will Kacmarek (87), Lorenzo Styles Jr. (172), Caden Curry (214), Ethan Onianwa (231). Styles Jr. joins his brother.

Ohio State also had seven players selected in the first two rounds of the draft. They did that last year, and only five schools have ever experienced that. Only Alabama and Ohio State have had that happen twice. Here is a list of all the schools that have had at least seven players selected in the first two rounds of the National Football League Draft.

With 25 selections in the National Football League Draft in the last two years, the team broke its record for selections in consecutive drafts. Previously, Ohio State had 24 players selected in 1974 and 1975. This draft is also the third time Ohio State has had double-digit selections in back-to-back drafts, as the Buckeyes had exactly 10 selections in the 2020 and 2021 drafts. Here are the most successful drafts in school history.

There were some notable firsts in this draft for the Buckeyes. First, Reese and Styles are the first-ever pair of linebackers from the same school to both be selected in the first 10 picks of the same draft. Second, Ohio State became the first school ever with three defensive players selected in the first 11 picks of a draft (Reese, Styles, and Downs). Klare and Will Kacmarek are the first pair of tight ends from Ohio State to be selected in the same draft.

Ohio State’s Great Draft

This draft was outstanding for the Buckeyes. How good? This was the first time in 58 years, dating back to Michigan State, in which a college football team had four picks in the top 11 picks.

Next year, Jeremiah Smith is expected to get drafted, perhaps No. 1 overall, which will push the Ohio State all-time first-round draft tally to 100. Julian Sayin might go in the first round, too. He is very polarizing, but the National Football League loves quarterbacks.