Marvin Harrison Jr. makes a catch for Ohio State. (Photo by Ohio State Athletics)
Marvin Harrison Jr., Michael Hall Jr., Cade Stover, and Tommy Eichenberg get drafted in the first four rounds while Matt Jones, Josh Proctor, Xavier Johnson, and Steele Chambers get signed as undrafted free agents. The Buckeyes also own a pretty prestigious draft record.
Marvin Harrison Jr., 1st Round 4th Overall Pick, Arizona Cardinals
Harrison will be expected to and will make an instant impact in Arizona. The Cardinals’ star quarterback Kyler Murray will have a clear WR1 to throw to. Murray already relies on one Buckeye, offensive tackle Paris Johnson Jr. to protect him. Now he’ll rely on another to catch big passes from him.
Michael Hall Jr., 2nd Round 54th Overall Pick, Cleveland Browns
Hall is a steal for the Cleveland Browns. He will work well with their defense helping them with their pass rush from the interior of the defensive line and will look to win one-on-one matchups with all the attention being paid on the outside to Myles Garrett. Former Buckeye and another member of the stalwart Browns defense, Denzel Ward, was happy to have a new teammate who played for Ohio State too.
Cade Stover, 4th Round 123rd Overall Pick, Houston Texans
Stover is reunited with quarterback CJ Stroud in Houston. The already potent Texans offense gets another weapon for the 2023 Rookie of the Year, CJ Stroud. Farmer Gronk is in a fortunate situation with a team that will look to compete and continue their offensive attack yet still have room for him to contribute and be a good player. No doubt his connection with Stroud played a role in the Texans drafting him.
Tommy Eichenberg, 4th Round 148thOverall Pick, Las Vegas Raiders
Tommy Two-thumbs as Eichenberg is affectionately known to Buckeye fans for playing with two broken thumbs is a good fit with former linebacker Antonio Pierce’s Las Vegas Raiders. Eichenberg will rely heavily on two of his strongest assets. His football IQ, and his instincts for being in the right position.
Matt Jones, Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins signed Jones as a free agent. Jones was a long-time interior stalwart for the Buckeyes despite the unit’s inconsistency in his final season. Miami will love and look to utilize his experience against talented foes.
Josh Proctor, Jacksonville Jaguars
DuVal signed a good free agent in Proctor who, at minimum, will be a solid special teams player. Proctor is a player who never phones it in, and works hard with every opportunity he earns.
Xavier Johnson, Buffalo Bills
One of my favorites, Xavier Johnson is a great pick-up by the Buffalo Bills because he’s just a football player. He’ll work his butt off wherever you put him and will give his all every play. An argument can be made he was underutilized at Ohio State and I could see him surprising most observers as an undrafted free agent in the AFC East.
Steele Chambers, Detroit Lions
Aside from being on the all-time greats list for names of a football player, Steele Chambers is like Xavier Johnson in that he’s an all-around football player. He too has played both sides of the ball and will work hard wherever a team asks him to play. His versatility will be a great asset to him in the NFL.
The Record
The Ohio State Buckeyes hold the record for the most 1st round draft picks in the NFL Draft. They also hold the record for the most 1st round wide receivers picked in the NFL Draft. Four of those 1st rounders in the past three seasons. Brian Hartline has produced and then some during his tenure as Buckeye wide receivers coach.
Marvin Harrison Jr. going at 4th overall this year is the highest and the biggest silver lining from the 2023 season for Ohio State fans. With no more cheaters in the way, it’s time Ohio State brings home championships with all of this NFL talent they keep producing.
