As the top team in the country, the Ohio State football program should have the best players on its roster. The Buckeyes are looking to win back-to-back national championships despite the fact that they lost 15 starters from a year ago, including eight on defense.
Despite that loss of production, the Ohio State Buckeyes continue to plow over opponents. They have the Heisman Trophy favorite as their starting quarterback. Several players on their roster look like they have a shot to be a first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
In a mock draft from Nick Baumgardner of The Athletic, he has three Buckeyes being taken in the first round. That actually seems a bit low. Regardless, he has one Buckeye going first overall, and it's not the one that you're expecting him to pick, either.
New mock draft has Ohio State football player Arvell Reese drafted first overall
Baumgardner has Arvell Reese as the top pick in the draft. He has the Jets drafting him with the number-one overall pick, citing his ability to play multiple positions and wreck a game. Reese has shot up draft boards this season with his speed and physicality.
Caleb Downs is on his list as the fifth overall pick going to the Dolphins. He also has Carnell Tate being taken 10th overall by the Arizona Cardinals. That's three Buckeyes in the top 10. There's also a chance that Ohio State has Sonny Styles drafted in the first round, as well.
Reese is a freak, but having him taken as the top pick in the draft seems a bit much. That's simply because of the position he plays, not because of a lack of talent. Linebackers only get taken with the top pick in the draft if they are true monster pass rushers, and that's very rare.
It will be months before the NFL Draft order is set, so the needs of teams will fluctuate based on how they finish this season. Reese continues to be an impressive player. He's one of the reasons Ohio State has the top-rated defense in the country.
The question is whether Ohio State can ride that defense to another national championship.