Ohio State Football: Former three-star recruits will soon earn paychecks

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COLUMBUS, OH – NOVEMBER 24: Malik Harrison #39 of the Ohio State Buckeyes tackles Shea Patterson #2 of the Michigan Wolverines at Ohio Stadium on November 24, 2018 in Columbus, Ohio. Ohio State defeated Michigan 62-39. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) /

The Ohio State football team is always loaded with highly ranked recruits but that doesn’t mean undervalued ones won’t play on Sundays.

At least four Ohio State football players who were ranked as three star recruits will be chosen in this year’s NFL Draft and possibly more. The ones who aren’t may be picked up as undrafted free agents and have a chance to make an NFL roster.

Let’s look at those players, and their recruiting status coming out of high school beginning with the one who wasn’t in the 2015 recruiting class.

Malik Harrison: No. 48 Athlete

The linebacker saw action as a true freshman and the following year registered 36 tackles and two sacks. The last two seasons his totals were 156 tackles and 7 sacks.

From the things I have read he is projected to be a second or third round pick. I have a feeling the 6 ft. 3, 240 pound athletic LB could be a steal in this year’s draft if he drops to the third round.

Staying on that side of the ball let’s look at a new graduate of DBU.

Damon Arnette: No. 62 CB

Arnette didn’t set the world on fire early on but continually progressed to the point most have the corner being chosen in the second round, and possibly the first. He made the biggest leap last season under Jeff Hafley and proved to everybody he has the potential to be an excellent player at the next level.

Davon Hamilton: No. 63 DT

Hamilton’s draft stock rose during his last two seasons and at the NFL Combine where he had 33 reps in the bench press. It appears he will be a mid to late round pick from the things I have read.

I have to admit, I have enjoyed watching the local recruit progress the last couple of years as well as his buddy on the interior, another in-state product. That would be…

Robert Landers: No. 28 DT

The last two seasons the DT has been an anchor in the middle of the line and registered 39 tackles with 11.5 of them for losses. He may be one of the quickest tackles in the draft but probably undersized to play nose tackle in the NFL.

I think a team that plays a 4-3 scheme will invite BB Landers to camp as an undrafted free agent. Who knows, a team may take a flyer on Landers late in the draft.

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