Tom Dienhart, BTN.com Senior Writer, April 25, 2016
Prolific. There is no other way to describe Ohio State?s performance in the last 10 NFL drafts. It?s a proverbial football factory in Columbus.
In all, the Buckeyes have had 54 picks, including 13 first-round selections. In 2006, Ohio State was off-the-charts productive with five first-round picks. It takes some schools decades to have five total first-rounders.
The Buckeyes have had no fewer than three selections in any draft since 2006. Linebackers (13) and defensive backs (12) had been the most popular positions.
Ohio State will add to this impressive total in year?s draft with what figures to be a prodigious haul. Ohio State has 15 former players who figure to be drafted. And don?t be surprised if more than half go in the first round. The OSU NFL factory total would be even higher had Noah Spence not transferred to Eastern Kentucky, as he is pegged to be picked.
The cream of the crop is running back Ezekiel Elliott and defensive end Joey Bosa, top-10 talents. Others who figure to be selected are CB Eli Apple, OT Taylor Decker, LB Darron Lee, WR Michael Thomas, WR Braxton Miller, S Vonn Bell, LB Josh Perry, DT Adolphus Washington, QB Cardale Jones, TE Nick Vannett, S Tyvis Powell, WR Jalin Marshall and G Chase Farris.
When it's all said and done, Ohio State has a shot to set two records in this year's draft:
- Most players from one school taken in the first round, held by Miami with six in 2004.
- Most players from one school selected in one draft, held by Ohio State with 14 in 2004.
OHIO STATE DRAFT (2006-15)
Highest pick: No. 5 overall, LB A.J. Hawk, 2006/Packers
Most fertile draft: 2006, nine selections
Total first-round picks: 13
Total picks: 54
Position breakdown
Linebacker: 13
Defensive back: 12
Receiver: 9
Offensive line: 8
Defensive line: 6
Running back: 4
Quarterback: 1
Tight end: 1
Year by Year
2006
1st round LB A.J. Hawk, Packers
1 DB Donte Whitner, Bills
1 LB Bobby Carpenter, Cowboys
1 WR Santonio Holmes, Steelers
1 C Nick Mangold, Jets
3 CB Ashton Youboty, Bills
3 LB Anthony Schlegel, Jets
4 DB Nate Salley, Panthers
4 G Rob Sims, Seahawks
2007
1 WR Ted Ginn, Jr., Dolphins
1 WR Anthony Gonzalez, Colts
3 DT Quinn Pitcock, Colts
4 RB Antonio Pittman, Saints
5 DE Jay Richardson, Raiders
5 WR Roy Hall, Colts
5 QB Troy Smith, Ravens
6 C Doug Datish, Falcons
2008
1 LB Vernon Gholston, Jets
7 LB Larry Grant, Rams
7 OT Kirk Barton, Bengals
2009
1 CB Malcolm Jenkins, Saints
1 RB Beanie Wells, Cardinals
2 LB James Laurinaitis, Rams
2 WR Brian Robiskie, Browns
4 DB Donald Washington, Chiefs
4 WR Brian Hartline, Dolphins
5 LB Marcus Freeman, Bears
2010
4 LB Thaddeus Gibson, Steelers
7 DE Doug Worthington, Steelers
7 FS Kurt Coleman, Eagles
7 LB Austin Spitler, Dolphins
2011
1 DE Cameron Hayward, Steelers
4 DB Chimdi Chekwa, Raiders
5 DB Jermale Hines, Rams
6 LB Brian Rolle, Eagles
6 LB Ross Holman, Vikings
2012
2 OT Mike Adams, Steelers
3 WR DeVier Posey, Texans
6 RB Dan Herron, Bengals
6 DB Nate Ebner, Patriots
2013
2 DT Johnathan Hankins, Giants
4 LB John Simon, Ravens
7 OT Reid Fragel, Bengals
2014
1 LB Ryan Shazier, Steelers
1 CB Bradley Roby, Broncos
2 RB Carlos Hyde, 49ers
2 OT Jack Mewhort, Colts
5 C Corey Linsley, Packers
7 DB Christian Bryant, Rams
2015
2 WR Devin Smith, Jets
3 TE Jeff Heuerman, Broncos
4 CB Doran Grant, Steelers
6 DT Michael Bennett, Jaguars
6 WR Evan Spencer, Redskins
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