Heading into the 2026 NFL Draft, the Ohio State football program has a lot of top players. The Buckeyes have plenty of players who are projected to be first-round picks. Most of those players are on the defensive end of the field, which is why the end of the 2025 season was so disappointing.
The Buckeyes are going to have at least four players drafted in the first round. Arvell Reese, Caleb Downs, Carnell Tate, and Sonny Styles are almost all solidified to be first-round picks. Kayden McDonald is likely going to be a first-round pick at the defensive tackle position, as well.
Those five Ohio State Buckeyes have the best chance to become first-round picks when April rolls around. However, they aren't the only ones who have a shot to end up being taken in the first 32 picks. There is another defensive player who could slide in at the end of the first round.
Ohio State football team could have six first-round picks in 2026
Davison Igbinosun is the other player who could slide in at the end of the first round. Igbinosun decided to return to Ohio State for the 2025 season so he could develop into a first-round pick. That was the entire reason that he decided to return for his senior season.
Igbinosun was much better at defending without getting called for penalties. After being the most penalized defensive back in 2024, Igbinosun committed just a couple of penalties all season long. He got less handsy and started trusting his technique, which made him a much better player.
If Igbinosun is able to test well at the Combine and Pro Day, he has a shot to be a late first-round pick. If he does, he could end up being the sixth first-round pick of the 2026 NFL Draft for the Buckeyes. That's how much talent the 2025 Ohio State football team had.