{"id":59429,"date":"2024-05-03T09:00:21","date_gmt":"2024-05-03T13:00:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/?p=59429"},"modified":"2024-05-02T21:24:52","modified_gmt":"2024-05-03T01:24:52","slug":"the-2024-ohio-state-nfl-draft-class-and-the-next-men-up","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/2024\/05\/03\/the-2024-ohio-state-nfl-draft-class-and-the-next-men-up\/","title":{"rendered":"The 2024 Ohio State NFL Draft Class and the Next Men Up"},"content":{"rendered":"

Now that the<\/span>\u00a02024 Ohio State NFL Draft class<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span>is finalized<\/span>, four former Buckeyes heard their names called. Those four were the fewest in a single draft class since 2011. Naturally, there are plenty of explanations for this small crop. Perhaps the most paramount reason is that a number of draft-eligible players elected to return and will have their names called next year.<\/span><\/p>\n

In addition to the four selections, four players signed as undrafted free agents:\u00a0<\/span>Steele Chambers<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0(Detroit Lions),\u00a0<\/span>Mattew Jones<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0(Miami Dolphins),\u00a0<\/span>Josh Proctor<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0(Jacksonville Jaguars), and\u00a0<\/span>Xavier Johnson<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0(Buffalo Bills).\u00a0<\/span>Miyan Williams<\/span><\/strong>, however, has yet to sign anywhere or be invited to rookie camp. That injury he sustained during the 2023 season must be weighing on the minds of NFL clubs.<\/span><\/p>\n

It’s often said<\/span> that Ohio State doesn’t rebuild. I<\/span>t<\/span>\u00a0reloads. The 2024 season\u00a0<\/span>has the opportunity to<\/span>\u00a0do just that and put through an actual record-breaking class in the 2025 NFL Draft.<\/span><\/p>\n

The 2024 Ohio State NFL Draft Class and Who’s Next<\/span><\/h2>\n

Marvin Harrison, Jr.: Arizona Cardinals, Fourth Overall<\/span><\/h3>\n

Next up: Emeka Egbuka<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

Much has\u00a0<\/span>been said<\/span>\u00a0about the impact of\u00a0<\/span>Marvin Harrison, Jr.<\/span><\/a>\u00a0over the last two-plus years at Ohio State. He broke out in that 2021 Rose Bowl that also saw\u00a0<\/span>Jaxon Smith-Njigba<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0break\u00a0<\/span>records of his own<\/span>. Then, as Smith-Njigba missed the bulk of the 2022 season with injuries, Harrison stepped up. In 2023, he showed that he was quarterback-proof as he\u00a0<\/span>was able to<\/span>\u00a0replicate his success with the departure of future second-overall\u00a0<\/span>pick,<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>C.J. Stroud<\/span><\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n

In his two years as a full-time starter, Harrison led the way with 144 catches, 2,474 yards, and 28 touchdowns. At times in 2023, Harrison was the entire Ohio State offense. Replacing him will not be easy. However, Ohio State has lost first-round receivers and has been\u00a0<\/span>fine<\/span>. The depth of the receiver room is potentially solid, albeit inexperienced. The leader of the next crop has to be\u00a0<\/span>Emeka Egbuka<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Egbuka took over as a full-time starter\u00a0<\/span>as well<\/span>\u00a0in 2021 and was the team’s leading receiver in the slot.<\/span>\u00a0He posted an impressive 15.6 yards per catch on the year with double-digit touchdowns. He headed into the 2023 season with first-round hype. Alas, it was not to be\u00a0<\/span>as<\/span>\u00a0he battled injuries. His production took quite the hit, dropping from 74 catches to 41, 1,151 yards to 515, and 10 scores to just four. It was due to this he elected to return.<\/span><\/p>\n

As the fully healthy leader of the Buckeyes’ receiver room, he\u00a0<\/span>has the opportunity to<\/span>\u00a0break records<\/span><\/a>\u00a0and regain that first-round hype. He will\u00a0<\/span>be pushed<\/span>\u00a0by talented sophomore\u00a0<\/span>Carnell Tate<\/span><\/a>\u00a0and the top-rated freshman of the 2023 cycle,\u00a0<\/span>Jeremiah Smith<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span>Not to mention the handful of four and five-star depth behind them<\/span>, of course<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Michael Hall, Jr.: Cleveland Browns, 54th Overall<\/span><\/h3>\n

Next Up: Tyleik Williams<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

The next pick in the smaller Ohio State NFL Draft class was\u00a0<\/span>Michael Hall, Jr.<\/span><\/a>, the impressively athletic defensive tackle. He was a full-time member of the defensive line rotation over the last two years. One of the things about Hall was that his talent was evident when on the field. He often flashed and showed that NFL-worthy skill and wrecked drives. On the other side, he either disappeared or was\u00a0<\/span>just<\/span>\u00a0not on the field.<\/span><\/p>\n

His on-field productivity was not the draw for the Browns or other teams who had him on their board. Over two-plus years, Hall amassed 45 tackles,\u00a0<\/span>10<\/span>\u00a0tackles for loss, six sacks, and a recovered fumble.\u00a0<\/span>On the contrary,\u00a0<\/span>it was<\/span>\u00a0his athletic profile and testing\u00a0<\/span>that<\/span>\u00a0had him lighting things up.<\/span>\u00a0Of all of the Buckeyes who tested (Harrison and Williams did not), Hall was\u00a0<\/span>easily<\/span>\u00a0the most athletic\u00a0<\/span>with<\/span>\u00a0a\u00a0<\/span>9.57 RAS<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

When it comes to replacing the Ohio State NFL Draft picks<\/span>, this will likely be the smoothest transition<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Tyleik Williams<\/span><\/a>\u00a0already led the defensive line in snaps last year. He actually had the fourth-most snaps of any player on the defense.<\/span><\/p>\n

Williams has all\u00a0<\/span>of the tools to be able<\/span>\u00a0to take over the interior defensive line and make the linebackers’ jobs that much easier.<\/span>\u00a0He’s coming off his career-best season thus far with 53 tackles,\u00a0<\/span>10<\/span>\u00a0tackles for loss, and a trio of sacks. Williams even added five pass breakups and scored on a fumble recovery in the win over Western Kentucky.<\/span><\/p>\n

Naturally,<\/span>\u00a0projecting the 2025 NFL Draft is about as sure-fire as predicting the weather a month out.<\/span>\u00a0Even then, Williams\u00a0<\/span>is projected<\/span>\u00a0as a first-round talent. If he replicates his 2023 success, replacing Hall should be\u00a0<\/span>easier<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Cade Stover: Houston Texans, 123rd Overall<\/span><\/h3>\n

Next Up: Gee Scott, Will Kacmarek<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

The Ohio State offense has not been conducive to tight-end production for a while.\u00a0<\/span>Cade Stover<\/span><\/a>,<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>despite being a linebacker convert<\/span>, finished his career as one of the most prolific tight ends in program history.<\/span>\u00a0He developed into a fan favorite and even had the attention of NFL Network’s Rich Eisen<\/strong>. The Michigan alumnus couldn’t help himself and had the network replay the video of Stover massaging a cow.<\/span><\/p>\n

He became Ohio State’s full-time tight end in 2022 and accounted for 982 yards and\u00a0<\/span>10<\/span>\u00a0touchdowns off of 77 receptions\u00a0<\/span>since<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0He was often Stroud and\u00a0<\/span>Kyle McCord<\/span><\/strong>‘s security blanket. Despite his history as a defender, Stover developed into a reliable receiver and will get to reunite with Stroud in Houston.<\/span><\/p>\n

Considering the Buckeyes recruit at a high level at the tight end position.\u00a0<\/span>there<\/span>\u00a0has to be someone who can step up. With the conclusion of Spring practice, there has not been a tight end to separate himself from the pack.\u00a0<\/span>On one hand<\/span>,\u00a0<\/span>Will Kacmarek<\/span><\/a>\u00a0transferred in from Ohio to compete. On the other, former five-star receiver\u00a0<\/span>Gee Scott, Jr.<\/span><\/a>\u00a0is the incumbent and has been with the program since 2020.<\/span><\/p>\n

Kacmarek was the leading tight end with the Bobcats over the last two seasons, totaling 507 yards and two touchdowns off\u00a0<\/span>of<\/span>\u00a042 receptions. Taking any stock in stats from the\u00a0<\/span>Spring Game<\/span><\/a>\u00a0is superficial\u00a0<\/span>but<\/span>\u00a0Kacmarek beat out Scott with 24 yards and two catches versus 18 yards off of one catch.<\/span><\/p>\n

In his time, Scott hasn’t taken hold just yet. Overall, he amassed 140 yards and two scores off of 20 receptions. He’s a big-body receiver who\u00a0<\/span>made the transition<\/span>\u00a0before the 2021 season with that five-star pedigree.\u00a0<\/span>The battle between these two will be\u00a0<\/span>an<\/span>\u00a0intriguing\u00a0<\/span>one<\/span>\u00a0to watch when Fall camp opens up.<\/span><\/p>\n

Tommy Eichenberg: Las Vegas Raiders, 148th Overall<\/span><\/h3>\n

Next Up: Sonny Styles<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

Finally, Ohio State\u00a0<\/span>will need to<\/span>\u00a0reload both linebacker positions\u00a0<\/span>with<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Tommy Eichenberg<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span>being drafted<\/span>\u00a0and Chambers on his way to Detroit. This competition is about as open as any on the roster\u00a0<\/span>with<\/span>\u00a0three likely candidates battling for two spots.<\/span><\/p>\n

Eichenberg was an uber-productive member of the Buckeyes’ defense over the last three years. In that time, he accounted for 266 tackles, 21 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, two interceptions (one pick-six against Iowa), five pass breakups, a forced fumble, and a recovered fumble.\u00a0<\/span>He takes\u00a0<\/span>with him<\/span>\u00a0two First-Team All-Big 10 selections\u00a0<\/span>as well as<\/span>\u00a0the Butkus-Fitzgerald Linebacker of the Year award.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ohio State should be well-equipped to replace Eichenberg and Chambers. Between the three likely next men up, they have 14 247Sports stars.\u00a0<\/span>Sonny Styles<\/span><\/a>\u00a0comes into the competition with the most 2023 snaps, although they were at safety. In those 537 snaps, Styles added 62 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, a pass breakup, and a forced fumble. Of the three, Styles looks\u00a0<\/span>to be the<\/span>\u00a0most athletic and should have a leg-up on the competition.\u00a0<\/span>The move to linebacker was made official<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>with the addition of<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Caleb Downs<\/span><\/a>\u00a0via the transfer portal.<\/span><\/p>\n

Next Up: Cody Simon\/C.J. Hicks<\/span><\/h3>\n

Cody Simon<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span>comes in with<\/span>\u00a0the most snaps of the remaining crop by far. In his time with Ohio State, Simon has been a rotational piece, appearing in 42 games in four years. Of those, he has\u00a0<\/span>10<\/span>\u00a0starts, all of which came in 2021. For fans who were uninspired with the linebacker duo\u00a0<\/span>often<\/span>\u00a0called for more playing time for Simon.\u00a0<\/span>In his limited time,<\/span>\u00a0Simon flashed well enough to have a legitimate shot his year.<\/span><\/p>\n

Finally, the biggest unknown of all\u00a0<\/span>of the<\/span>\u00a0Ohio State NFL Draft replacements.<\/span>\u00a0To this point,\u00a0<\/span>C.J. Hicks<\/span><\/a>\u00a0has\u00a0<\/span>been hyped<\/span>\u00a0beyond measure.\u00a0<\/span>Considering he<\/span>\u00a0was a five-star recruit in the 2022 cycle and was the highest-rated linebacker recruit in program history according to 247Sports. With two stalwarts ahead of him over the last two years, this is the first opportunity for Hicks to show if\u00a0<\/span>he’s<\/span>\u00a0worth the hype. He may have shown\u00a0<\/span>a little bit<\/span>\u00a0of what he can do in the Spring\u00a0<\/span>Game<\/span>\u00a0as he led all defenders with eight tackles.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
Photo Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The 2024 Ohio State NFL Draft class was smaller than expected. However, with those departures, they leave opportunities for the next me up.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4051,"featured_media":59466,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[5,2],"tags":[7983,6712,9579,1700,7258,7620,10097,73,6279,33304],"class_list":["post-59429","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-bigten","category-featured","tag-big-ten-football","tag-c-j-stroud","tag-jaxon-smith-njigba","tag-josh-proctor","tag-kyle-mccord","tag-matthew-jones","tag-miyan-williams","tag-ohio-state-buckeyes","tag-steele-chambers","tag-xavier-johnson"],"modified_by":"Kate Pearson Halyburton, Editor","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/59429","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4051"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=59429"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/59429\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/59466"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=59429"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=59429"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=59429"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}