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Ohio State Football: Top 5 Buckeye NFL Draft prospects of all time

By Frank Teriaca

COLUMBUS, OH - SEPTEMBER 23: Chase Young #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes dives to make a tackle on Lexington Thomas of the UNLV Rebels in the second quarter at Ohio Stadium on September 23, 2017 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH - SEPTEMBER 23: Chase Young #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes dives to make a tackle on Lexington Thomas of the UNLV Rebels in the second quarter at Ohio Stadium on September 23, 2017 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) /
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CANTON, OH – AUGUST 06: Orlando Pace, former NFL offensive tackle, poses with his bronze bust after his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame during the NFL Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony at the Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium on August 6, 2016 in Canton, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
CANTON, OH – AUGUST 06: Orlando Pace, former NFL offensive tackle, poses with his bronze bust after his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame during the NFL Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony at the Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium on August 6, 2016 in Canton, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

No. 3: Tom Cousineau

Tom Cousineau was the No. 1 overall pick of the 1979 NFL Draft. Selected by the Buffalo Bills, Cousineau was widely regarded as the top overall player in the 1979 draft class. Cousineau was a two-time All-American linebacker and still owns the school record for tackles in a single season with 211.

However, upon being drafted No. 1 overall by Buffalo, he never actually played a single down for the Bills. Instead he signed a contract in the Canadian Football League with the Montreal Alouettes for more money than he would have received from the Bills. After a few seasons in Canada, Cousineau decided to give the NFL a shot with the Cleveland Browns in 1982 and had a solid six season NFL career.

No.2: Dan Wilkinson

‘Big Daddy’ Dan Wilkinson was the No. 1 overall pick in the 1994 Draft taken by the Cincinnati Bengals. The 1993 consensus All-American and Big Ten defensive player of the year was highly regarded for his run stuffing abilities and pass rush skills for a defensive tackle. He was highly considered the best defensive lineman in the country during that 1993 season.

Wilkinson had a very solid NFL career playing for four different franchises and having 54.5 career sacks. And believe it or not, he had five interceptions, including an 88 yard interception return for a touchdown in 1999 while a member of the Washington Redskins.

No. 1: Orlando Pace

Orlando Pace was the top pick of the 1997 NFL Draft by the St. Louis Rams and was regarded by most draft experts as the best offensive lineman prospect of the decade. The two-time All-American and Heisman trophy finalist did not disappoint as he went on to have an excellent NFL career.

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A seven time pro-bowler and three-time first team All-Pro selection, Pace was enshrined at the Hall of Fame in 2016. Pace is arguably the greatest Ohio State football player to ever suit up in the NFL and No. 1 on our list of all time Buckeye draft prospects.

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