The beginning of March calls for an important time in the NFL offseason: Collegiate Pro Days. The Steelers bring the house as they send Mike Tomlin, Omar Khan, Arthur Smith, and Teryl Austin to Ohio State. This marks the first destination this year for this powerhouse bunch, and it’s a hot one. Ohio State has been well-known for producing absolute studs for years now. They recently finished their 2024 season 14-2, landing them first in the AP Top 25 rankings. Ohio State went on to win the National Championship, showcasing their Draft products in the main stage. Here we look at top, highly rated Draft prospects coming out of Ohio State.
The 2025 NFL Draft is swiftly approaching as it begins on April 24th. On the road to the Draft, keep an eye on our Draft Profiles and Draft Previews.
Cody Simon LB
Senior
6’2” 229 lbs.
Starting us off is a solid linebacker who took a Team Captain role in the 2024 season. Simon was a four-star recruit out of high school and was ranked 10th best linebacker in the country. He committed to Ohio State and continued to show his skill there. He found playing time continuously come his sophomore season where he put up 54 total tackles and an interception. Simon finished his last collegiate season with 112 total tackles and 7 sacks (named First-Team All-Big Ten). He showed to be a solid three-down linebacker who continuously improved throughout his collegiate career.
- Ran a 4.5 40-yard dash at his Pro Day, showed some promise on his acceleration.
- Covers ground quickly, moves laterally very well and is able to go sideline to sideline.
- Great rush threat, makes a quick pursuit off the line and is able to track down the ball carrier quickly. Times the snap very well.
- Tackles with aggression and violence, shows some flaw in open-field tackling.
- Falls back into coverage well, covers short passes very well, shows some difficulty with covering receivers downfield.
- Improvement throughout his collegiate career and signs of elite versatility will rank Simon high in the Draft, and could find him starting quickly.
Projection: Day 2 (2nd Round)
Denzel Burke CB
Senior
5’11” 186 lbs.
Burke is a four-star recruit out of high school and was seen playing wide receiver and cornerback throughout his career there. He committed to Ohio State and found immediate playing time as he filled a starting role. He finished his true freshman year with 37 combined tackles and an interception returned for a touchdown. Burke continued showing the school he is capable of being a starting cornerback for the team throughout his career. He finished his college career with 48 combined tackles and 2 interceptions. Burke showed promise throughout his college career as he was a starter all four years at Ohio State. He shows great improvement and solid speed to keep up with receivers in coverage.
- Ran a 4.4 40-yard dash. Showed signs of acceleration and speed to have downfield.
- Able to knock receivers off the snap in press coverage, aggressive first move off the snap.
- Capable of turning his hips and maintaining his position with the receiver, positions himself well with the receiver in coverage.
- A great run support presence, comes downfield in great pursuit of the ball carrier.
- Gets beat easily at some points when receivers make a move on him, but shows signs of recovery.
- A speedy corner who can position himself with the receiver maintaining good coverage.
Projection: Day 2 (Mid-Late 2nd Round)
Donovan Jackson OG
Senior
6’4” 315 lbs.
Jackson was a stud in high school, coming into college a five-star recruit. His great size and athleticism found himself many offers, ultimately committing to Ohio State. There he immediately made a presence in the offensive line by playing in all 13 games his freshman season. He continued to dominate at the line and became a three-year starter leading to the end of his collegiate career (2x First-Team All-Big Ten). Jackson has an athletic build and fast movement on outside runs, finds the second level quickly.
- Solid build at 6’4” 315 lbs. Rarely knocked off balance on a block.
- Ability to set the edge, protects his quarterbacks blindside very well
- Finds the second level quickly when needed.
- Great jump off the snap, able to center himself and be prepared for his block.
- Fast footwork helps him get outside on outside runs, moves laterally well.
- A solid build for an offensive lineman who doesn’t get overpowered in his blocks.
Projection: Day 2 (Early 2nd Round)
Emeka Egbuka WR
Senior
6’1” 202 lbs.
Notably met with Mike Tomlin and Omar Khan before his Pro Day. A five-star, top 10 prospect out of high school. Egbuka committed to Ohio State and hit the ground running. He played in 11 games on both offense and some special teams. He soon found a starting role in his sophomore season and took off from there. Egbuka finished his collegiate career winning a National Championship and totaling over 1,000 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns. Egbuka is a solid receiver who finds soft spots in zones well and works downfield to get open for his quarterback.
- Ran a solid 4.46 40-yard dash at his combine. Showed acceleration straight out the gates and hit his speed quickly.
- Savvy route runner, has an arsenal of moves to fool a defender.
- When not using moves, Egbuka isn’t the type of receiver to absolutely burn a defender.
- Positions himself nicely to throws from his quarterback.
- Reads coverage very well to find soft spots and become an open target.
- Incredible route runner and capable of positioning himself to throws, relies on moves to beat defenders off the snap. Speed is there but is inconsistent in beating defenders.
- I wouldn’t mind seeing him in Pittsburgh after April 24th.
Projection: Day 1 (1st Round)
Jack Sawyer EDGE
Senior
6’4” 260 lbs.
The Ohio native kid out of Pickerington, Ohio finds himself at Ohio State. An elite prospect out of high school being a five-star recruit. He found himself living his dream by going to the college he worked to get in. Sawyer found some action in his freshman season with 13 total tackles and 3 sacks. He worked to get his starting role and eventually did in his junior season where he led the team in sacks (6.5). He became a Team Captain his senior season and won a National Championship. A fairytale story for the Ohio kid, and he looks to continue that after a dominant collegiate career.
- He brings leadership and championship experience.
- Powerful off the line, brings aggression and violence in his rush.
- Ability to knock offensive linemen off balance and push them into the pocket.
- Showcases his leg and arm strength well, drives through his blocker.
- Sets the edge very well on outside runs.
- Capable of having a strong pursuit on scrambling quarterbacks.
- Plays with power and aggression off the edge, pushes offensive linemen back into the pocket consistently.
Projection: Day 1 (1st Round)
Josh Simmons OT
Senior
6’5” 317 lbs.
An amazing four-star prospect coming out of high school, Simmons first committed to San Diego State. There he started all 13 games for the program, showing his skill set immediately. He then found a new home at Ohio State when he transferred there after his freshman year at San Diego State. Simmons continued his dominant performance and started all 13 games his first year at Ohio State. He unfortunately faced an injury towards the end of his collegiate career. Simmons showed great development as he transitioned from San Diego State to the Big Ten conference. He showed that he can adapt well with a more competitive style of play along with great athleticism.
- An absolute MONSTER at his Pro Day where he had 33 reps on the bench. Possess amazing strength.
- His smooth and quick style of play stands out the most. His footwork off the snap is very smooth.
- Moves laterally quick on outside runs, opens holes for the runner.
- Great first move, times his blocks well and lands his first hands well.
- What will get him drafted early is his smooth and quick release, smooth footwork, rarely knocked off balance, and his incredible strength.
Projection: Day 1 (1st Round)
JT Tuimoloau EDGE
Senior
6’4” 265 lbs.
A five-star recruit coming out of high school, Tuimoloau tracked many eyes from elite programs ultimately landing at Ohio State. He saw action early as he played in all 13 games his freshman year recording 2.5 sacks and 17 total tackles. He soon found a starting role from his sophomore year to his senior year. Tuimoloau finished his collegiate career with 12.5 sacks (6.5 coming in the playoffs), 61 total tackles, and 2 forced fumbles. His senior undoubtedly skyrocketed his draft stock heading into the Draft. Tuimoloau plays with aggression and violence backed with a solid build.
- Consistent showcase of his skill throughout his four years in college. No sign of drop in stats.
- Plays with amazing aggression, packs a heavy punch in his first step off the snap.
- Ability to use elite arm and leg strength to push offensive linemen back into the pocket.
- Great length shown in his threat to deflect passes at the line.
- Possesses great jump with a 35.5” vertical, sure to push his stock up in the Draft.
- True first round caliber, potential to drop early second round.
Projection: Day 2 (Early 2nd round)
Lathan Ransom S
Senior
6’0” 206 lbs.
A strong build for safety at 206 lbs. Ransom was a four-star recruit out of high school. He committed to Ohio State and found some work early as he saw the field and played in a few games. His sophomore year began his heavy work load as he played in all 13 games recording 38 tackles. Ransom continued showcasing his skills throughout his collegiate career as he finished his senior year with 76 total tackles, 1 interception, and 3 forced fumbles. He suffered a couple injuries putting him on the shelf for multiple games throughout his career. Ransom reads offensive schemes well to position himself where he needs to be, he is very physical and has a build to dominate receivers downfield.
- Solid build at 206 lbs.
- Sticks with receivers very well downfield, doesn’t lose ground easily and is rarely pushed off routes.
- Possess great downfield pursuit on run plays and screens.
- Inconsistent open field tackling hurts him most times.
- Shows great aggression downfield, plays very physically which is found evident in his pass break ups.
- Moves laterally well, shows quick foot movement, speed is at the forefront of his game but shows glimpse of great quickness.
- All around physical, 206 pound safety who isn’t afraid to go head on at a receiver and punch the ball out a few times.
Projection: Day 2 (2nd Round)
Quinshon Judkins RB
Junior
6’0” 221 lbs.
One of the two-headed monster running backs out of Ohio State and a big prospect in the eyes of Mike Tomlin and Omar Khan, Judkins started his career at Ole Miss. Accomplishing First-Team All-SEC his freshman year where he rushed for 1,567 yards and 16 touchdowns, Judkins set a lot of eyes on him straight out of high school. He set school records at Ole Miss for rushing touchdowns and rushing yards. He became a true elite back when transferring to Ohio State in his most recent year. His star stunning performance was not impacted as he led the team with 1,060 rushing yards and 14 rushing touchdowns. Judkins is one of the most elite running backs in the Draft this year, he shows aggression in his runs and has great burst.
- Ran a 4.48 40-yard dash at the Combine, showed that burst off speed out the gates and contained his speed through the whole way.
- Runs with great aggression, difficult to be brought down at times as his legs are always moving.
- Great in the pass game, becomes an option for his quarterback fast as he breaks into the flat quickly.
- He is a powerful back at 221 lbs. He is sure to eat yardage and move defenders with his build.
- Doesn’t possess that explosive run ability as much as his strong runs.
- Has all the traits to develop into a three-down back.
- What stands out is his ability to secure the ball well. Looking at his stats he only 3 fumbles lost in his entire collegiate career. A true dependable back.
Projection: Day 2 (Late 2nd Round/ Early 3rd Round)
TreVeyon Henderson RB
Senior
5’10” 202 lbs.
The second piece to the two-headed monster at running back. Another big prospect for Mike Tomlin and Omar Khan. A five-star recruit out of high school into Ohio State. He led the team in rushing yards with 1,248 yards and set a school record for a freshman with 19 touchdowns. An impressive freshman year I must say. Henderson continued dominating as he reached First-Team All- Big Ten his junior year and Team Captain his senior year. No surprise to any as he finished his collegiate career with over 1,000 yards. Henderson is the speedier option of the two backs and shows continuous signs of creating chunk yard plays.
- Ran a 4.43 40-yard dash at the Combine. Shows great acceleration and hits his speed the whole way through.
- Possesses a very shifty move on his first step, finds the gap and hits it well.
- Accelerates very well out of the pocket, locates a hole to run through and hits it with great speed.
- A great safety valve for his quarterback, catches the ball well and gets open in the flat quickly.
- Finds the second level quickly and uses great vision to locate open running lanes downfield.
- An amazing stat that stands out is he hasn’t had a fumble lost his entire collegiate career. Great ability of securing the ball and not turning it over.
Projection: Day 2 (Mid-Late 2nd Round)
Will Howard QB
Redshirt Senior
6’4” 236 lbs.
For starters, Mike Tomlin and Omar Khan notably had a dinner with Will Howard before his Pro Day. He is a top quarterback prospect for the front office, as the team still doesn’t have a starting quarterback. Howard began his collegiate career at Kansas State and ultimately finished it at Ohio State. He started his full senior year at Ohio State throwing for 4,010 yards and 35 touchdowns. He performed well in the National Championship game where he had his most rushing yards in his senior year. Howard led his team to the National Championship his senior year (also his first year with the school). This could show how quickly he can adapt to a new scheme and playbook. He showed improvement throughout his career and possesses a solid build and great toughness.
- Great size at 6’4” 236 lbs. A dominant presence inside the pocket and out. Difficult to bring down at times.
- Solid when he gets mobile, that difficulty shows as he sees open field when escaping the pocket.
- Possesses great arm strength, his deep ball is a dependable part of his game.
- Solid short-mid range accuracy.
- Sees between the hashes well, delivers a dart over the middle at times.
- Shows great signs of IQ as he reads defensive plays well and quickly adapts to it.
- Works through his progressions slowly, shows signs of tunnel vision on his first read then slowly looks for other options.
- All around a great build and has a strong arm, needs to improve his read progressions and get the ball out quicker.
Projection: Day 3 (Mid-Late 4th Round)
