The Ohio State Buckeyes’ defensive presence is among the hot topics of the NFL scouting combine, with several prospects drawing serious attention from scouts and coaches. What makes this year unique is not just the usual slate of first-round hopefuls — it’s the quantity and versatility of OSU defenders that has everyone buzzing.
In an episode of the “Football 301” podcast, Yahoo Sports’ Nate Tice and Matt Harmon, who are in Indianapolis this week at the combine, took a look at those star Buckeyes.
According to Tice, this year’s draft is “basically one quarterback, one running back, and a lot of defenders and some tackles.” And there’s no school more central to this defensive bonanza than Ohio State.
What makes this Buckeye class special is its fit for today’s NFL. As Tice points out, “the league needs [off-ball linebackers] and they’re so important now.” With defenses constantly in flux, players who can shift from linebacker to edge and even out to the slot are at a premium, and Ohio State’s blue-chip prospects all check those boxes.
As Harmon summed up, “when you go back and watch [Ohio State’s defense], it’s just not like, ‘Oh, yeah, they’re pretty good players.’ It’s like, no, they’re the best players of this draft.”
Sonny Styles: modern linebacker prototype
Harmon called Styles “one of those guys” who blends elite athleticism (a legit 6-foot-5, 240+ pounds), rare movement skills and the ability to do everything required in the modern NFL: “He can play off-ball linebacker but can also line up on the edge and play and drop from there, play the run, take on tight ends.”
Tice’s assessment: “What’s cool about Styles is he can do all the modern asks because that’s what he was asked to do at Ohio State under Matt Patricia. Line up on, on the ball on the edge, much like how Zack Baun is used sometimes for the Eagles.”
Both Tice and Harmon expect Styles to be a top-15 pick, and potentially even higher given the way defenses are evolving.
Arvell Reese: the next hybrid force
Reese is being pegged as possibly “the first non-quarterback selected after Fernando Mendoza.” Like Styles, Reese brings versatility. He can play off-ball, line up on the edge, and has a “developing game sense as far as coverage,” according to Tice. His blend of pass rush and coverage skills fits perfectly with what today’s defensive coordinators are seeking.
Kayden McDonald: Anchor on the interior
Not to be outdone, McDonald has cemented his stock as a premier run-stuffing defensive tackle. He may not have the flashiest pass rush yet, but his ability “to line up across the interior, eat blocks and keep his balance” is drawing attention for teams looking for a dependable presence in the trenches.
Caleb Downs: Swiss Army Knife in the secondary
On the back end, Downs, a safety, is a prospect everyone is watching. Tice described him as more of a Budda Baker or Antoine Winfield Jr. type — “a guy that just gives a boost effect on everybody else because he’s so, so smart.” Downs’ workout numbers will be scrutinized, but his tape already gives him a very high floor.
The unsung hero: Caden Curry
He’s a likely Day 2 pick with real flash and the kind of tools that get coaches excited. He’s the type of prospect who rises over the course of combine week.
Projected overall draft Impact
With Styles and Reese project as sure-fire first-rounders — and with McDonald and Downs also likely to see their names called early — it’s not an exaggeration to say that four or five Ohio State defenders could go in the first 15 picks. Other teams will likely soon mirror their approach, blending size, movement, and versatility as the new defensive standard.
About the Author
