There aren’t too many college football programs that can compare to the success of Ohio State throughout the history of the game. An argument could be made that it’s THE top program of all time.
After all, the Buckeyes are tied for the most Heisman trophies (seven), have passed all FBS programs in overall winning percentage as of last season, and seem to be continually in the hunt for conference and national titles on an almost yearly basis.
Another measuring stick that says what type of program is running like a well-oiled machine on the banks of the Olentangy is the amount of NFL draft picks being churned out.
As it just so happens, Ohio State leads all programs in total NFL draft picks since 2000 (131), and is tied with Alabama for first in the number of first-rounders during that time (31). It’s that latter that we’re going to focus on here.
It’s time to celebrate those OSU players that have had their name called very early in the NFL draft since 2000.
Next … First-rounders from 2018 and 2019
NFL draft first-round picks from 2018 and 2019
Nick Bosa, DESelected No. 2 overall by San Francisco 49ers in 2019 NFL draft© Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports Dwayne Haskins, QBSelected No. 15 overall by Washington Redskins in 2019 NFL Draft© Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports Denzel Ward, DBSelected No. 4 overall by Cleveland Browns in 2018 NFL Draft© Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports Billy Price, CSelected No. 21 overall by Cincinnati Bengals in 2018 NFL Draft© Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports Next … First-rounders from 2017
The three NFL draft first-round picks from 2017
Marshon Lattimore, DBSelected No. 11 overall by New Orleans Saints in 2017 NFL Draft© Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports Malik Hooker, DBSelected No. 15 overall by Indianapolis Colts in 2017 NFL Draft© Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports Gareon Conley, DBSelected No. 24 overall by Oakland Raiders in 2017 NFL Draft© Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports Next … The 2016 haul
The five NFL draft first-round picks in 2016
Joey Bosa, DESelected No. 3 overall by San Diego Chargers in 2016 NFL Draft© Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports Ezekiel Elliott, RBSelected No. 4 overall by Dallas Cowboys in 2016 NFL Draft© Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports Eli Apple, DBSelected No. 21 overall by New York Giants in 2016 NFL Draft© Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports Taylor Decker, OTSelected No. 16 overall by Detroit Lions in 2016 NFL Draft© Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports Darron Lee, LBSelected No. 20 overall by New York Jets in 2016 NFL Draft© Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports Next … 2009 to 2014 first-rounders
NFL draft first-round picks from 2009 to 2014
Ryan Shazier, LBSelected No. 15 overall by Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2014 NFL Draft© Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports Bradley Roby, DBSelected No. 31 overall by Denver Broncos in 2014 NFL Draft© Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports Cameron Heyward, DESelected No. 31 overall by Pittsburgh Steelers in 2011 NFL Draft© Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports Malcolm Jenkins, DBSelected No. 14 overall by New Orleans Saints in 2009 NFL Draft© Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports Chris “Beanie” Wells, RBSelected No. 31 overall by Arizona Cardinals in 2009 NFL Draft© Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports Next … 2007 and 2008 first-rounders
NFL draft first-round picks from 2007 and 2008
Vernon Gholston, DESelected No. 6 overall by New York Jets in 2008 NFL Draft© Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports Ted Ginn, WRSelected No. 9 overall by Miami Dolphins in 2007 NFL Draft© Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports Anthony Gonzalez, WRSelected No. 32 overall by Indianapolis Colts in 2007 NFL Draft© Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports Next … The five from 2006
Five more NFL first-rounders in 2006
A.J. Hawk, LBSelected No. 5 overall by Green Bay Packers in 2006 NFL Draft© Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports Donte Whitner, DBSelected No. 8 overall by Buffalo Bills in the 2006 NFL Draft© Ron Schwane-USA TODAY Sports Bobby Carpenter, LBSelected No. 18 overall by Dallas Cowboys in 2006 NFL Draft© Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports Santonio Holmes, WRSelected No. 25 overall by Pittsburgh Steelers in 2006 NFL Draft© Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports Nick Mangold, CSelected No. 29 overall by New York Jets in 2006 NFL Draft© Ron Schwane-USA TODAY Sports Next … Three from 2004
Three NFL first-rounders in 2004
Will Smith, DESelected No. 18 by New Orleans Saints in 2004 NFL Draft© Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports Chris Gamble, DBSelected No. 28 overall by Carolina Panthers in 2004 NFL Draft© Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports Michael Jenkins, WRSelected No. 29 overall by Atlanta Falcons in 2004 NFL Draft© Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports Next … Three more from 2001
The three NFL first-rounders from 2001
Nate Clements, DBSelected No. 21 overall by Buffalo Bills in 2001 NFL Draft© Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports Ryan Pickett, DTSelected No. 29 overall by St. Louis Rams in 2001 NFL Draft© Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports Ahmed Plummer, DBSelected No. 24 overall by San Francisco 49ers in 2001 NFL Draft© Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
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