Ohio State’s $20M Roster Sends 7 Players to NFL in First Two Rounds

Through the first 18 picks of the NFL Draft, no Ohio State football players had been chosen. But then, just like during the 2024–2025 College Football Playoff, the Buckeyes went on a run.

Seven Buckeyes were selected in the first two rounds of the NFL Draft. For comparison, that’s the same number of players selected from the ACC and one more than the Big 12.

O-H in the Pros

The seven Ohio State players picked through the first two rounds: 

• Pick 19: Emeka Egbuka, WR (Buccaneers)
• Pick 24: Donovan Jackson, OG (Vikings)
• Pick 28: Tyleik Williams, DT (Lions)
• Pick 32: Josh Simmons, OT (Chiefs)
• Pick 36: Quinshon Judkins, RB (Browns)
• Pick 38: TreVeyon Henderson, RB (Patriots)
• Pick 45: JT Tuimoloau, DE (Colts)

Despite its riches, Ohio State also has the clout to recruit NFL prospects straight out of high school. Just two of the seven OSU draftees were transfers: offensive tackle Josh Simmons transferred from San Diego State after the 2022 season, and running back Quinshon Judkins came over from Ole Miss after the 2023 season. The remaining five—receiver Emeka Egbuka, guard Donovan Jackson, defensive tackle Tyleik Williams, running back TreVeyon Henderson, and edge JT Tuimoloau—were members of the 2021 freshman recruiting class. 

Ohio State still has a ways to go to challenge Georgia’s record for the most players drafted in a single year, with 15 players going in 2022. Since the draft expanded to seven rounds in 1994, Ohio State has had double-digit draftees four times, most recently in 2021. 

Buckeye Bankroll

The Buckeyes beat Notre Dame in the College Football Playoff National Championship in January after spending roughly $20 million in NIL (name, image, and likeness) funds to lure players to the Big Ten powerhouse. Its college football spending dwarfed what many schools spent across all their sports.

Since the NCAA removed restrictions that forced athletes who switch schools to sit out a year, football teams have looked to the transfer portal to stock their rosters. By mid-April this year, 3,200 players had entered the transfer portal, with the bulk of them on FBS scholarships.

Players move for any number of reasons, with some seeking more playing time, following a coach, or looking for FBS exposure. But schools like OSU with large warchests and powerful NIL collectives can also sweeten the pot with NIL cash.