“NFL Factory: 14 Ohio State Buckeyes Drafted, 3 More Sign as UDFAs in a Dominant Weekend Showing”
Ohio State’s long-standing reputation as an NFL pipeline was reaffirmed in resounding fashion over the 2025 NFL Draft weekend, as 14 Buckeyes heard their names called—the most of any program this year. In addition, three more Ohio State players signed undrafted free agent (UDFA) contracts, bringing the total to 17 Buckeyes transitioning to the professional ranks.
It was a draft to remember for the Scarlet and Gray. The 14 selections marked the program’s highest total since the NFL Draft moved to a seven-round format in 1994. For head coach Ryan Day, the weekend served as further validation that Columbus remains one of college football’s premier launchpads to the NFL.
“We preach development, and I think this shows it,” Day said Saturday night. “These guys came to Ohio State with big dreams, and now they’re realizing them. It’s a proud moment for our staff, for the program, and especially for the families of these young men.”
As expected, Marvin Harrison Jr. was the first Buckeye off the board. The generational wide receiver was selected No. 4 overall by the Arizona Cardinals, pairing him with quarterback Kyler Murray in a move expected to jumpstart the Cardinals’ offense.
Harrison, the 2023 Biletnikoff Award winner, ended his Ohio State career with 2,613 yards and 31 touchdowns. His pro-ready route running, elite catch radius, and quiet leadership style made him a coveted top-five pick.
“You’re not just getting a playmaker. You’re getting a worker,” Arizona GM Monti Ossenfort said. “Marvin’s been a pro since he stepped foot in college.”
The Buckeyes had two additional first-round selections, both on defense: JT Tuimoloau, taken 19th overall by the Las Vegas Raiders, and Denzel Burke, selected 27th by the Philadelphia Eagles.
Tuimoloau, a dominant edge rusher with elite upside, became the highest-drafted Ohio State defensive lineman since Chase Young in 2020. Burke, meanwhile, impressed scouts with his ball skills and ability to cover elite receivers in man coverage.
Linebacker Tommy Eichenberg and safety Lathan Ransom both came off the board early on Day 2. Eichenberg was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the second round, filling a clear need in the middle of their defense. Known for his leadership and tackling consistency, Eichenberg projects as an early contributor on special teams and possibly as a rotational starter.
Ransom, who battled injuries but remained a respected presence in the Buckeye secondary, landed with the Los Angeles Chargers in the third round. His versatility and high football IQ were frequently praised by NFL evaluators during the pre-draft process.
The Houston Texans added offensive tackle Josh Fryar in Round 3, giving C.J. Stroud a familiar face in the trenches. Fryar’s combination of size and agility made him a valuable developmental prospect who can play multiple spots along the offensive line.
Day 3 was a Buckeye bonanza. The following players were selected:
Mike Hall Jr., DT – Round 4, Carolina Panthers
Ty Hamilton, DT – Round 5, New Orleans Saints
Emeka Egbuka, WR – Round 5, New York Giants
Matthew Jones, OL – Round 6, Chicago Bears
Cade Stover, TE – Round 6, Green Bay Packers
Josh Proctor, S – Round 7, Cleveland Browns
Xavier Johnson, WR – Round 7, Kansas City Chiefs
Among the most surprising slides was Emeka Egbuka, once projected as a possible first-rounder. A nagging injury in 2023 slowed his production, but his Round 5 selection by the Giants may end up being a steal. New York is desperately seeking wide receiver help, and Egbuka’s crisp route running could quickly earn him snaps.
Cade Stover’s sixth-round selection gives Jordan Love another weapon in Green Bay. The former linebacker turned tight end emerged as a security blanket for Ohio State quarterbacks and was praised by scouts for his physicality and work ethic.
“I’ll bet on Cade Stover any day of the week,” said one anonymous NFC executive. “He’s a football player through and through.”
The draft might have ended, but the NFL didn’t stop calling for Buckeye talent. Three Ohio State players signed UDFA deals within hours of the draft’s conclusion:
Chip Trayanum, RB – Signed with the Minnesota Vikings
Tyleik Williams, DL – Signed with the Denver Broncos
Jayden Ballard, WR – Signed with the Baltimore Ravens
Trayanum’s unique versatility as a former linebacker turned running back appealed to Minnesota, who may look to use him in short-yardage and special teams packages. Williams, a disruptive interior presence during his time in Columbus, will aim to make Denver’s 53-man roster as a rotational piece. Ballard, a deep-threat receiver with upside, joins a Ravens team looking to stretch the field more effectively.
All three have realistic chances to stick in the league. With Ohio State’s track record of developing talent, their signing was no surprise to those who followed their careers closely.
This marks the first time since 2004 that any school had 14 players selected in a single NFL Draft. Alabama and Georgia have been the modern benchmarks in draft dominance, but Ohio State’s 2025 showing puts it back atop the developmental hierarchy.
Even more impressively, the Buckeyes now have 88 players currently active on NFL rosters, according to Spotrac—a number that could rise depending on how the UDFA group fares in training camps.
The 2025 draft class may prove to be a legacy-defining group for Ryan Day. While critics have occasionally questioned his record in big postseason games, few can deny his track record in preparing players for the next level.
“I’m so proud of them,” Day said. “They trusted our process, they put in the work, and now it’s their time. We’ll be watching every Sunday.”
Ohio State’s player development system, led by strength coach Mickey Marotti and a top-tier support staff, was widely credited with giving players the physical and mental tools to thrive in the NFL.
For a program like Ohio State, success on draft weekend reverberates far beyond the immediate headlines. It’s a signal to recruits and their families that if you choose the Buckeyes, you’re putting yourself on the fastest path to the NFL.
Five-star wide receiver recruits like Jeremiah Smith and Mylan Graham—already committed to the Buckeyes—can now point to Harrison and Egbuka as tangible proof that Columbus is still WRU. Defensive players eyeing the league see Tuimoloau, Burke, Hall, and Eichenberg all finding homes. Even offensive linemen and tight ends, positions not always in the spotlight, got recognition.
“This kind of draft class is rocket fuel for recruiting,” said 247Sports analyst Steve Wiltfong. “Kids want to see the results, and Ohio State just gave them 17 reasons to believe.”
The 2025 NFL Draft was a showcase of what makes Ohio State one of the premier football institutions in the country. From first-round stars like Marvin Harrison Jr. to late-round gems and UDFA hopefuls, the Buckeyes’ presence was inescapable.
And with Ryan Day’s roster loaded with more future pros—including returning stars like quarterback Devin Brown, safety Caleb Downs, and running back Quinshon Judkins—next year may bring another avalanche of Buckeyes to the NFL ranks.
For now, Columbus celebrates a record-breaking draft weekend that confirmed what many already knew: when it comes to producing NFL talent, Ohio State is second to none.
