Ohio State absolutely dominated the NFL Scouting Combine—sending a nation-leading 14 participants to Indianapolis over the weekend—and the event could be a springboard to a historic draft for the Buckeyes.
Headlined by defensive end Joey Bosa, running back Ezekiel Elliott and linebacker Darron Lee, Ohio State is in prime position to carry that momentum to the NFL’s biggest offseason stage.
But is head coach Urban Meyer’s latest crop of next-level talent good enough to make history?
The Benchmarks
If Ohio State is to set a new benchmark in April, it’ll have to shatter a record it set in 2004.
Twelve years ago, 14 players who fueled Ohio State’s 2002 national title win and orchestrated a 25-2 run over two seasons were taken in the draft. The group was deep, but it wasn’t top-heavy—the first Buckeye didn’t come off the board until the New Orleans Saints selected defensive end Will Smith at No. 18 overall.
But over the course of seven rounds, the Buckeyes had selections from at least one player in every position group except running back. They even had punter B.J. Sander selected in the third round by the Green Bay Packers.
That same year, the Miami Hurricanes made history of their own by having six of their former players taken in the first round.
That team, which Ohio State beat a year-and-a-half earlier in Tempe, Arizona, for the national championship, was absolutely loaded with NFL talent. Safety Sean Taylor was the headliner at…
Continue Reading: Ohio State Football: Can Buckeyes Make NFL Draft History After Combine Takeover?
