When it comes to producing elite NFL talent, Ohio State has made a habit of owning draft night. Year after year, Buckeye stars hear their names called early and often. Under head coach Ryan Day, the program has continued to cement its reputation as one of college football’s premier NFL pipelines, thanks to elite recruiting and consistent player development.
If PFSN analyst Ian Cummings is right, the 2026 NFL Draft could feature a historic run for the Buckeyes at the very top of the board. In Cummings’ recent seven-round mock draft, three Ohio State players were projected to go inside the top five, and incredibly, they were slotted back-to-back-to-back.
Sonny Styles Rockets to No. 2 Overall
The first Buckeye off the board, and perhaps the biggest surprise, is linebacker Sonny Styles, projected to go No. 2 overall to the New York Jets.
Styles was one of the biggest risers at the NFL Combine, delivering a jaw-dropping athletic performance that turned heads across the league. Measuring 6-foot-5 and 244 pounds with nearly 33-inch arms, he paired ideal size with rare explosiveness.
He blazed a 4.46 in the 40-yard dash with a 1.56 10-yard split, then backed it up with a 43.5-inch vertical and an 11-foot-2 broad jump, numbers that showcase elite lower-body power. His agility testing was just as impressive, posting a 7.09 three-cone and 4.26 short shuttle, further cementing his status as one of the most dynamic athletes in this year’s class.
Those numbers are rare for any linebacker, let alone one with Styles’ size and versatility. Cummings described him as “a blue-chip defender who can wear a plethora of different hats and play at a high level.”
That positional flexibility is exactly what today’s NFL covets. Styles has the range to play off-ball linebacker, the physicality to drop into the box, and the athleticism to match up in space. For a Jets defense looking to add a dynamic chess piece, the fit makes sense.
Arvell Reese: The Consensus Edge1
Right behind Styles in the mock draft is fellow linebacker/edge hybrid Arvell Reese, projected to go third overall to the Arizona Cardinals.
Unlike Styles’ meteoric rise, Reese’s landing near the top of the draft is no surprise. He has consistently dominated earlier draft boards and is widely viewed as one of the premier defensive talents in the 2026 class.
According to PFSN’s consensus big board, Reese ranks as the EDGE 1 and the No. 1 overall player in the class. His combination of burst, power, and versatility off the edge makes him a disruptive force. Even if edge rusher isn’t Arizona’s most pressing need, elite talent is impossible to pass up at the top of the draft, and Reese fits that description perfectly.
If both Styles and Reese go in the top three, it would mark an extraordinary statement about Ohio State’s defensive development under Ryan Day and his staff.
Carnell Tate Brings Star Power to Tennessee
The Buckeyes’ dominance doesn’t stop on defense. At No. 4 overall, Cummings projects wide receiver Carnell Tate to the Tennessee Titans.
Cummings wrote:
“Carnell Tate answers the bell for the Tennessee Titans with a combined separation and contested catch excellence at 6’3″ that’s eerily reminiscent of George Pickens.”
The comparison to George Pickens highlights Tate’s unique blend of size, body control, and playmaking ability. At 6-foot-3, Tate has the frame of a true No. 1 receiver and the polish to contribute immediately.
With Tennessee seeking a reliable top target for its offense, particularly to support its young quarterback, Cam Ward, Tate would be expected to step in as a day-one impact player. His production was a major reason Ohio State earned a PFSN CFB Offensive Impact Grade of “A-” and finished ranked inside the top five offensively this past season.
A Testament to Development in Columbus
Ohio State placing three players in the top five, and doing so consecutively, would be a remarkable achievement, even by Buckeye standards. But it also reinforces what has become routine in Columbus: elite recruiting paired with elite development.
From explosive defensive playmakers like Styles and Reese to polished offensive weapons like Tate, the Buckeyes continue to produce prospects built for the modern NFL.
If this projection becomes reality, the 2026 NFL Draft won’t just be another strong showing for Ohio State; it could be one of the most dominant draft performances in program history.
