Ohio State Football: Good bet former teammates could be top 3 picks
Teammates on the 2017 Ohio State football team could be the first three picks in the NFL Draft. Think about the odds of that happening.
It would be a good bet to put money on former Ohio State football players Joe Burrow, Chase Young and Jeffrey Okudah being the first three players chosen in this year’s NFL Draft. But what if you would have put money on that happening a couple of years ago.
During the 2017 season all three were just battling for playing time.
As a freshman, Young was playing behind defensive ends Tyquan Lewis, Sam Hubbard, Nick Bosa and Jalyn Holmes. He still ended up with 18 tackles and 3.5 sacks though.
Okudah was in the same boat playing behind Denzel Ward, Kendall Sheffield and Damon Arnette, but still had 17 tackles and a pass defended.
Burrow had a rough season though. He was a solid backup in 2016 but an injury in fall camp let Duane Haskins move ahead of him in the depth chart.
In 2018 Young came on strong recording 34 tackles and 10.5 sacks. After his sophomore season most had him being one of the top picks in this year’s draft.
Okudah had a fine season as well. He had 32 tackles and was becoming one of the best corners in the country, and looked like he may develop into a first round pick.
Burrow transferred to LSU after Dwayne Haskins beat him out for the starting job. After completing 57.8 percent of his passes for 2,894 yards and 16 touchdowns it looked like he would have to have a better senior season to possibly be a mid round draft choice.
Last season Young was the best defensive player in college football. Okudah became a lock-down corner and was recognized by many as the best player at his position. Burrow won the Heisman Trophy and led LSU to the National Championship.
It’s almost a guarantee Burrow and Young will be the top two picks in this year’s NFL Draft but it’s up in the air if Okudah will be No. 3, but there is a good chance he will be. Since every team needs a top-flight corner I like his chances.
Next. We’ll soon see which linemen can run a ‘fast’ 40. dark
I think it’s a good bet the former teammates will be taken with the first three picks. If that’s the case and if you would have put down a wad of cash this time last year betting they would, you would be rolling in dough soon. And just think if you would have in the spring of 2018, you may never have had to work another day in your life.