Ohio State football: Which NFL Buckeye is next to get paid?

A few former members of the Ohio State football team have signed big extensions with their NFL teams in recent years. Who will be the next former Buckeye to get paid?

One of the many recruiting pitches that the Ohio State football program can use is that a few of their former players have made a lot of money at the next level. There have been a few players who have signed contracts worth tens of millions of dollars in recent years.

Ezekiel Elliott signed a six-year $90 million extension with the Cowboys in 2019 that just kicked in last season. Joey Bosa signed a five-year $135 million contract extension with the Chargers before the start of this season. Michael Thomas also signed a large deal, scoring a five-year $96.5 million extension with the Saints.

Who is the next Buckeye that is in line to get paid? It looks like Marshon Lattimore is that next player. His contract is up at the end of the 2021 season. Lattimore is a three-time Pro Bowler, including being selected this past season.

With how high his production has been, and the fact that cornerbacks are a premium position, Lattimore is in line to get a big payday at the end of next season. As long as Lattimore doesn’t get hurt, he could command a lot of money either with the Saints or in free agency.

My guess is that New Orleans would want to lock him up for years to come. Lattimore is someone who would be extremely valuable as a free agent and would still only be 26 when his current contract is up. He still has a few prime years left and can still get better.

Lattimore is likely the next former Buckeye to get paid. Nick Bosa and Denzel Ward will follow after that as well. A lot of Buckeyes are going to make a lot of money in the NFL.