Story by
Updated list of Ohio State players picked in 2026 NFL Draft, from Arvell Reese to Caleb Downs
- Story by
- Updated list of Ohio State players picked in 2026 NFL Draft, from Arvell Reese to Caleb Downs
Updated list of Ohio State players picked in 2026 NFL Draft, from Arvell Reese to Caleb Downs originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
Ohio State led all FBS schools with 11 players selected in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Advertisement
The Buckeyes had four players selected in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft, the most of any FBS school. The Buckeyes had four more players selected on Day 2 and lead all schools with eight players selected heading into the final day of the draft Saturday. Three Ohio State players rounded out Day 3.
The Titans took Carnell Tate with the No. 4 pick; the sixth Ohio State receiver to be taken in the first round since 2022. The Giants drafted edge rusher Arvell Reese at No. 5, and the Commanders took linebacker Sonny Styles at No. 7. Dallas traded up to land safety Caleb Downs at No. 11.
Sporting News tracked the Ohio State draft picks in the 2026 NFL Draft.
MORE NFL DRAFT NEWS:
Advertisement
Ohio State players drafted in 2026 NFL Draft
Here is a look at the Ohio State players selected in the 2026 NFL Draft:
-
Carnell Tate, WR, Tennessee Titans (No. 4)
Tate (6-2, 192) is the latest Ohio State receiver to go in the first round, and he gives Tennessee quarterback Cam Ward a go-to receiver. Tate had 51 catches for 875 yards and nine TDs in a season where he battled injuries. This is Tate's chance to be a No. 1 receiver, and he should take advantage with the Titans.
-
Arvell Reese, EDGE, New York Giants (No. 5)
Reese (6-4, 241) showed flashes of dominance as a pass rusher last season – and he totaled 69 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and six sacks. The Giants get another edge rusher to go with Brian Burns and Abdul Carter with first-year coach John Harbaugh.
Advertisement
-
Sonny Styles, LB, Washington Commanders (No. 7)
Styles (6-5, 244) wowed at the NFL Scouting Combine, and he fits as a dynamic all-around linebacker who had 82 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, a sack and an interception. The Commanders land a versatile linebacker who should help with the defense right away.
-
Caleb Downs, S, Dallas Cowboys (No. 11)
Downs (6-0, 206) is a two-time Sporting News All-America safety who had 68 tackles, five tackles for loss and two interceptions for the Buckeyes last season. He's the safest pick in the first round in terms of expected production at the next level, and the Cowboys made a splash by trading up one spot to get an answer in the secondary.
-
Kayden McDonald, DT, Houston Texans (No. 36)
McDonald (6-2, 326) is a run-stuffing force on the interior that fell to the second round and is a value pick for the Texans . He finished with 65 tackles, nine tackles for loss and three sacks for the Buckeyes last season.
-
Max Klare, TE, Los Angeles Rams (No. 61)
Klare (6-4, 246) had a fantastic NFL Scouting Combine performance, which has increased interest as a Day 2 sleeper. He had 43 catches on 55 targets – a 78.2% catch percentage that ranked fourth among FBS tight ends with at least 40 targets.
Advertisement
-
Davison Igbinosun , CB, Buffalo Bills (No. 62)
Igbinosun (6-2, 189) had two interceptions and cut down on the penalties, which were an issue in 2024. He's a wide cornerback who will have to develop into a starter at the next level for the Bills .
-
Will Kacmarek, TE, Miami Dolphins (No. 87)
Kacmarek (6-5, 261) had 15 catches for 168 yards and two TDs for the Buckeyes last season and could fit in as a blocking tight end for the Dolphins .
-
Lorenzo Styles Jr., CB, New Orleans Saints (No. 172)
Styles Jr. (6-0, 194) ran a 4.27 in the 40-yard dash – the second-fastest time at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine. He will add depth as a slot cornerback and could see time as a kickoff returner.
-
Caden Curry, EDGE, Indianapolis Colts (No. 214)
Curry (6-2, 257) had 11 sacks last season, and that was capped with five sacks in Ohio State's last four games. He is a late-round value pick who will fit in as a situational pass rusher.
Advertisement
-
Ethan Onianwa, T, Atlanta Falcons (No. 231)
Onianwa (6-6, 333) is a massive tackle who adds depth to the Falcons ' offensive line. He also might have a chance to see snaps at guard.
Most Ohio State players drafted in a single draft
Ohio State had 14 players selected in the 2025 NFL Draft, which matched a program record set in 2004. The Buckeyes likely will not surpass that number in 2026.
Which school has the record for most picks in a single NFL Draft?
Georgia had 15 players selected in the 2022 NFL Draft , and that included five first-round picks led by No. 1 pick Travon Walker . Ohio State (2004, 2025) and LSU (2020) each had 14 players selected.
Advertisement
MORE 2026 NFL MOCK DRAFTS:
When is Jeremiah Smith eligible for the NFL Draft?
Ohio State receiver Jeremiah Smith will be eligible for the 2027 NFL Draft. He had 87 catches for 1,243 yards and 12 TDs in 2025. Smith could be the first receiver taken with the No. 1 pick since the New York Jets took Keyshawn Johnson with the No. 1 pick in the 1996 NFL Draft.
How many NFL Draft picks does Ryan Day have at Ohio State?
Day took over at Ohio State in 2019, and this will be his seventh draft class with the Buckeyes. Ohio State has 49 NFL Draft picks and 14 first-round picks the last five seasons under Day. A look at those draft classes:
| YEAR |
PICKS |
FIRST ROUND |
PLAYERS |
| 2020 |
9 |
3 |
Chase Young , Jeffrey Okudah, Damon Arnette |
| 2021 |
10 |
1 |
|
| 2022 |
6 |
2 |
|
| 2023 |
6 |
3 |
C.J. Stroud , Paris Johnson Jr. , Jaxon Smith-Njigba |
| 2024 |
4 |
1 |
|
| 2025 |
14 |
4 |
Emeka Egbuka , Donovan Jackson , Tyleik Williams , Josh Simmons |
