Who are Ohio State's potential NFL first-round draft picks?

The Columbus Dispatch
Ohio State has had a player taken in the first round of the NFL draft every year since 2016.
That is a streak that is sure to continue in 2024, and there’s a legitimate chance the Buckeyes could make draft history next year. The most first-rounders from Ohio State taken in any draft is five, which happened in 2006 and in 2016. The latter group helped form the nucleus of the Buckeyes’ 2014 national championship team and all five went in the first 20 picks.
Next year, the Buckeyes could break their record for most players taken in the first round. Ohio State has three players highly likely to go in the first round – wide receivers Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Egbuka and defensive end J.T. Tuimoloau.
But in early mock drafts, several other Buckeyes are projected as potential first-rounders. Will all of them go among the first 32 picks? Doubtful. But it is a genuine possibility.
Here’s a look at Buckeyes who have the best chance to play themselves into the first round:
Marvin Harrison Jr., junior wide receiver
Harrison likely would have been a top-five pick in the 2023 draft if he’d been eligible, so he’s a virtual lock to be one of the first names called in April. Ohio State has produced first-round receivers Chris Olave, Garrett Wilson and Jaxon Smith-Njigba the past two years. Wilson was the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year, and Olave had a case to be it.
Harrison has a chance to top them. At 6 feet 4, he has the range to go above defenders. He has blazing speed for a player that size. He’s genetically gifted as the son of a Hall of Famer, but it’s work ethic that really separates Harrison. He is driven to maximize every bit of his immense potential.
If Ohio State gets quality play from its quarterback and offensive line, Harrison should have a monster 2023 season.
J.T. Tuimoloau, junior defensive end
Tuimoloau, a five-star prospect from the Seattle area, has a chance to follow in the footsteps of the Bosa brothers and Chase Young as a game-wrecker. He certainly was that against Penn State last year, almost single-handedly carrying the Buckeyes to victory.
He’s not going to have games like that consistently – no one does – but the Buckeyes are hoping Tuimoloau can impose his will on every game. Tuimoloau has a rare blend of speed and strength.
He is considered a mid-first-rounder at this point, with a possibility of going in the top 10.
Emeka Egbuka, junior wide receiver
Marvin Harrison Jr. gets most of the attention, but NFL scouts know all about Egbuka. On almost any other college team, he’d be the No. 1 receiver. Egbuka, who missed spring practice recovering from an injury, is expected to be at full strength for training camp.
Egbuka is a smooth athlete with innate feel for the game and, like Harrison, a hunger for constant improvement. A year ago, he caught 74 passes for 1,151 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Like Tuimoloau, he’s considered likely to be taken in the middle of the first round, with a chance to move inside the top 10.
Mike Hall Jr., junior defensive tackle
Here’s where it gets a little dicier. Harrison, Tuimoloau and Egbuka look to be sure first-rounders. The others on the list will need excellent seasons to join them. All are capable of that.
Hall earned comparisons with Aaron Donald as an undersized but dominant defensive tackle last year. Then Hall injured his shoulder and his playing time was limited the rest of the year. Now healthy, Hall has a chance to take the next step and be a consistent disruptive force.
Denzel Burke, junior cornerback
A year ago, Burke looked poised to join the string of recent Buckeye cornerbacks who became first-rounders. But injuries hindered him and he didn’t show the same promise he did as a freshman when he was thrust into the lineup.
His disappointing ’22 season has fueled Burke’s motivation this year. Coaches and teammates raved about him this spring. If he continues that momentum and plays that way in the fall, he could be a first-rounder.
Donovan Jackson, junior guard
Jackson was a five-star recruit out of Texas and has lived up to his billing. As a returning starter, he and fellow guard Matt Jones will have to be the leaders on a revamped line.
He’s big and powerful and can dominate in the run game. He’s solid in pass protection but needs to prove he can fend off speedy pass-rushers consistently if he’s to attain first-round status.
Jack Sawyer, junior defensive end
Sawyer was somewhat miscast as the hybrid defensive end/linebacker “Jack” last year and is now back as a pure defensive end. A five-star recruit from Pickerington, Sawyer has the tools to be a dominant player. Now he just has to put it all together. If he does, he could rise into the first round.
TreVeyon Henderson, junior running back
Henderson tried to play through a foot injury that included a broken bone. Though it showed his courage, he wasn’t the same dynamic player he was as a sophomore. His rehab was ahead of schedule and he was able to do limited work in the spring.
Henderson is not a sure thing to start in a deep backfield that includes Miyan Williams and won’t have to shoulder the whole load. Henderson is a home-run threat because of his speed, elusiveness and open-field instincts. But he has to be more willing to plow for tough yards when holes aren’t there. Running backs have been devalued in most recent NFL drafts. If Henderson has the kind of season he expects to have, he’ll make a push to be a first-rounder.
Tyleik Williams, junior defensive tackle
So far, we’ve seen only flashes of Williams’ impressive talent. Consistency has eluded him so far in his Buckeye career, but he showed, especially as a freshman, that he has the explosiveness to be a dominant player.
Williams will get his chance for more playing time this year. If he capitalizes, he has enough talent to warrant first-round consideration.