Ohio State Football: 11 Buckeyes look to improve stock at combine

The Ohio State football team will once again have a big presence at the NFL Combine as 11 players will try to boost their draft stock later this month.

As one of college football’s NFL factories, the Ohio State football program is always well represented at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis. This year is no different as 11 Buckeyes received invites to show off in front of scouts on Feb. 27 through March 1, according to 247Sports.

Leading the group of Buckeyes are Chase Young and Jeffrey Okudah, both of whom are consensus top-five draft picks as Todd McShay and Mel Kiper, Jr. both have Okudah going to the Detroit Lions at No. 3, and many predict Young will be selected by the Washington Redskins at No. 2. Both Young and Okudah will have the opportunity to solidify that status even more with strong performances in front of the scouts.

Barring injury or an atrocious performance, Young and Okudah will hear their names called within the first hour of the 2020 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 23.

One player for the Buckeyes who has a chance to really boost his stock is running back J.K. Dobbins. Projected as the No. 32 pick in McShay’s First Round Mock Draft, Dobbins will have the chance to show off his skill set. First-round money is much better than even second-round money, so if Dobbins hopes to break into that first round, he’ll need a big combine and pro day (likely in mid-March).

Wide receivers Austin Mack, Binjimen Victor and K.J. Hill will also have an opportunity to boost their stock by running great routes, showing off their hands, and running the 40-yard dash to show off their speed.

On the opposing side of the ball, defensive backs  Jordan Fuller and Damon Arnette will have the chance to vault themselves from the middle rounds (4-6) into the early rounds (2-3) with good performances at the combine. Arnette is currently projected to go No. 66 by 247Sports, and could move into the second round with a great combine.

Offensive lineman Jonah Jackson and defensive tackle Davon Hamilton will look to show off their blocking (Jackson) and block-shedding (Hamilton) ability in front of scouts from all 32 NFL teams.

Finally, linebacker Malik Harrison who was etched into Buckeye fans’ memories with a few big plays against Michigan in 2018 will also look to boost his status as a late-second round pick.

The NFL Combine has seen players make or break their status in the draft, so for the 11 players from Ohio State, it will be an opportunity to show off their abilities to scouts and boost their draft stock with the draft just two months away.