Ohio State Buckeyes are overrepresented in the NFL. That goes without saying. With that said, not everyone who once donned the Scarlet and Gray with Buckeye Leaves all over their helmets is in the midst of their best career stretch.
Some of them, though, could strongly respond in 2026 to what was an underwhelming 2025 season last fall. These three Buckeyes could be due for a major comeback year during the upcoming NFL season:
C.J. Stroud
Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud made the playoffs, but knocking off Mike Tomlin's last Pittsburgh Steelers team, which featured current Ohio State play-caller Arthur Smith overseeing an offense with Aaron Rodgers under center, might've been the weakest win of the entire postseason.
Stroud followed that up with his second-worst EPA/play performance of his career in a 28-16 playoff loss to the eventual AFC Champion New England Patriots. 2025 was a statistical regression year for Stroud that led to some trade rumors this offseason that ultimately went nowhere.
Luckily, he'll have former Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery in the backfield in 2026, plus veterans Braden Smith and Wyatt Teller at right tackle and right guard, respectively. Stroud should bounce back after his worst year yet.
Terry McLaurin
Terry McLaurin had an ill-timed quad injury that helped Debo Samuel establish himself in the Washington Commanders' receiver room during the 2025 season. Jayden Daniels still has indelible experience in crucial moments with McLaurin, but there's more doubt about McLaurin's every route now.
McLaurin simply needs to prove healthier this season to get the chance to play off Samuel, just as Daniels needs to stay on the field himself. Cutting McLaurin makes sense in D.C. next offseason if he can't return to form, since the dead cap penalties will significantly lessen. That motivation should make McLaurin a comeback candidate alone, since he's in line to be a top-paid receiver in 2027 and beyond if he can remain under contract.
Cameron Heyward
Cameron Heyward has barely regressed over his 15-year career with the Pittsburgh Steelers, though if you wanted to point to signs of slowing down, his sack numbers have been down since groin injuries started popping up a few years ago.
With Mike Tomlin moving on from the Steelers this offseason, now would be a good time for a leader like Heyward to make more game-changing plays in the backfield. Pittsburgh needs stability, and no one provides it like the soon-to-be 37-year-old. There's no reason to bet against the six-time All-Pro under new defensive coordinator Patrick Graham this season.