Ohio State sent the second-most players to the NFL in the 2010s.
The Buckeyes should start the next decade with another big showing in the 2020 NFL Draft. Sporting News' Vinnie Iyer projects nine Buckeyes will be drafted in his seven-round mock, including two in the first three picks.
Defensive end Chase Young and cornerback Jeff Okudah are the headliners on what is another loaded class that features seven top-100 picks.
Here are the Ohio State players Iyer projects will be selected in the 2020 NFL Draft, and where they will land.
NFL DRAFT BIG BOARD: Ranking the top 100 prospects in 2020
NFL mock draft 2020: Ohio State's projected picks
Chase Young, EDGE
Projected: Round 1, Pick No. 2 (Redskins)
Young totaled 27 sacks and 35.5 tackles for loss the last two seasons with the Buckeyes, and the 6-5, 264-pound edge rusher had a case for the Heisman Trophy before a two-game suspension. He’s a franchise player that follows the line of Ohio State defensive ends that includes Nick and Joey Bosa – and Young promises to make a similar impact at the next level.
MORE: The evolution of Chase Young
Jeff Okudah, CB
Projected: Round 1, Pick No. 3 (Lions)
While Young might be the best player on the board, Okudah might be the most-polished top-five prospect. The All-American cornerback had an impressive all-around showing at the NFL Combine, and he’s the next Buckeyes cornerback from that pipeline. Okudah does not have any glaring weaknesses, and his physical style solidifies his stock as a top-five pick.
J.K. Dobbins, RB
Projected: Round 2, Pick No. 45 (Buccaneers)
Ohio State might have won the Fiesta Bowl against Clemson had Dobbins not been injured. The former five-star back rushed for 2,003 yards and 21 TDs, and he averaged 24.5 catches the last two seasons in Ryan Day’s offense. Dobbins is a complete back with excellent vision, and that will translate as a workhorse back. The only question is whether Dobbins is worth the first-round price.
Malik Harrison, LB
Projected: Round 2, Pick No. 53 (Eagles)
Harrison ran a 4.66 in the 40 at the NFL Combine, which ranked 15th among linebackers. That might not lead to a slight dip on draft day, but the tape shows an aggressive linebacker who can get to the football. He had 25 tackles for loss and eight pass breakups the last two seasons. He’s a value pick in the second round.
Damon Arnette, CB
Projected: Round 3, Pick No. 77 (Broncos)
Arnette, a 6-foot, 195-pound cornerback, had a slower developmental curve at Ohio State. He was a four-year contributor with five interceptions, and he was consistent in coverage for the Buckeyes. He likely will start out in a nickel role as a rookie and can develop from there.
Jonah Jackson, G
Projected: Round 3, Pick No. 85 (Lions)
Jackson transferred to Ohio State from Rutgers, and he made the most of that one year with the Buckeyes. He had a large 6-3, 306-pound frame, and he is better at pass protection at this stage of his career. Jackson likely will start out as a backup, but there is room to grow into a full-time starter with a team in need of interior help.
K.J. Hill, WR
Projected: Round 3, Pick No. 100 (Patriots)
Hill broke the all-time record for receptions at Ohio State with 201, and he did that by evolving into an excellent possession receiver. The 6-foot-, 196-pound receiver also totaled 16 TDs the last two seasons. Hill will be a slot receiver in the NFL, and he will stick because of his precise route-running skills. The draft is deep with receiver talent, and Hill will be a value pick in the middle rounds.
Davon Hamilton, DT
Projected: Round 3, Pick No. 102 (Steelers)
Hamilton (6-4, 320 pounds) comes from the Pickerington, Ohio, pipeline, and he gradually developed into a difference maker for the Buckeyes on the interior. He had six sacks and 9.5 tackles for loss as a senior, and he gradually improved as a run-stopper. Hamilton was one of the more unheralded players on a loaded front, but he made enough plays to suggest he can be a rotational player right away.
Jordan Fuller, S
Projected: Round 6, Pick No. 188
Fuller returned for his senior season, and he totaled 143 tackles and three interceptions the last two seasons. He is a sound tackler and a two-time Academic All-American. Fuller ran a 4.67 in the 40 at the NFL Combine, so he will have to prove he can be a starter.
