3 Former Ohio State Players We Expect to Have Strong Rookie Seasons
There is no program in college football that puts first-round talent into the NFL quite like the Ohio State Buckeyes. In history, 99 former Buckeyes heard their name called in the first round, 12 more than second place.
This year, Ohio State became the first program in 59 years to have four top-11 picks. How good will these Buckeyes be in their rookie season? If you went off video game ratings, you’d be led to believe they will be pretty good.
Here are a few former Buckeyes we expect to be immediate impact players.
Immediate Impact NFL Players From Ohio State
Carnell Tate - Tennessee Titans
With the fourth overall pick, the Titans took a shot and drafted Cam Ward’s new best friend, Carnell Tate. From being a five-star receiver at IMG Academy and thrashing Bishop Sycamore to dunking on Texas and Michigan last year, Tate has been a big-play threat since he initially suited up. The six-foot-three, 195-pound deep threat comes into the NFL a refined route-runner and is as dangerous as any when it comes to 50/50 balls.
With Ohio State, Tate was a starter in each of the last two seasons. In the national championship-winninng season, Tate was WR3 and finished with 733 yards and four touchdowns on 52 receptions in 15 games. Last year, he battled an undisclosed “lower-body injury” and only appeared in 11 of the Buckeyes’ 14 games. In that time, he turned 51 receptions into 875 yards and nine touchdowns.
The question will be whether or not Tate will be able to step up as WR1 for the Titans. With Ohio State, he was consistently in the shadow of Jeremiah Smith. However, Emeka Egbuka was the same as a lifetime WR2 and he seemed to do alright last year.
Look for Tate to help the Titans offense take a step in 2026.
Caleb Downs - Dallas Cowboys
Taking a safety in the top 11 looks like a massive reach, but when that safety is Caleb Downs, you just do it and enjoy the ride. Downs initially broke out as a true freshman at Alabama in 2023. He was able to come into Nick Saban’s program and contribute as a first-year player, so you know you’re dealing with a special talent.
After Saban’s retirement, Downs transferred to Ohio State to help led its defense to a national championship in his first season. Last year, it was more of the same from Downs. He’s a two-time unanimous All-American, Lott IMPACT Trophy winner, and Thorpe Award winner. Not to mention the fact he finished ninth in Heisman Trophy voting.
His impact is more cerebral than it is with counting stats. In three seasons at the college level, Downs amassed 257 total tackles (he was the first freshman in Alabama history to lead the team), 16 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, six interceptions, 12 pass breakups, four forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery. Plus, he returned a punt for a touchdown.
It would take a massive season for a safety to win Defensive Rookie of the Year. Maybe the fact that the Cowboys get great ratings will help Downs with his campaign because everyone watches Dallas, whether they like them or not.
Sonny Styles - Washington Commanders
Finally, an even better bet to win Defensive Rookie of the Year, Sonny Styles looks like a sure-fire future perennial Pro Bowler. When it comes to off-ball linebackers coming into the NFL, Styles looks like the best in recent memory.
Styles came to Ohio State as a safety and earned significant playing time as a sophomore in 2023. Then, he moved to linebacker in 2024 and led the way with 100 total tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, six sacks, five pass breakups, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery.
Like Downs, Styles is as sure a tackler as any. In 2025, Styles only missed one tackle. He’s an athletic freak and has the football IQ to match. If you’re looking for a sure-fire instant-impact player, Styles would be the best bet with the Commanders.