Buckeye Pipeline: Ohio State Alums Shine Bright in NFL’s 2025-26 Season
Ohio State’s reputation as an NFL talent factory isn’t just hype-it’s a legacy that continues to grow. With 503 players drafted since 1936, the Buckeyes trail only USC and Notre Dame in all-time selections. And this season, that legacy was on full display.
From breakout stars to seasoned veterans and even a head coach, Ohio State alumni made their presence felt across the league. With 67 former Buckeyes on active NFL rosters-the most of any college program-this year was another reminder that the road from Columbus often leads straight to NFL stardom.
As the countdown to Super Bowl LX ticks down, three former Buckeyes-Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Thayer Munford, and TreVeyon Henderson-are gearing up for the biggest game of their careers, while another, Mike Vrabel, is leading the New England Patriots from the sideline. But their stories are just the tip of the iceberg.
Here’s a look at the standout Buckeye performances from the 2025-26 NFL season.
MVP: Jaxon Smith-Njigba - Wide Receiver, Seattle Seahawks
Back in 2021, Garrett Wilson made a bold claim: “Jaxon is as good as I’ve ever seen, probably the best I’ve ever seen.” At the time, Smith-Njigba had just 49 receiving yards to his name. Fast forward to today, and it’s safe to say Wilson was onto something.
After a record-shattering sophomore season at Ohio State-including a jaw-dropping 347-yard Rose Bowl performance-Smith-Njigba entered the NFL with high expectations. Injuries slowed him down in college, but his pro career has been a steady climb.
In his first two seasons with the Seahawks, he totaled 1,758 yards and 10 touchdowns. Solid numbers.
But this year? He took it to another level.
Smith-Njigba torched defenses all season long, racking up 132 receptions for 1,965 yards and 12 touchdowns. He was the engine behind Seattle’s offense and a driving force in their run to the Super Bowl. His route-running was surgical, his hands reliable, and his ability to create after the catch made him a nightmare for defenders.
Now a frontrunner for NFL Offensive Player of the Year, Smith-Njigba didn’t just meet expectations-he shattered them. For his elite production and game-changing impact, he’s the clear choice as Buckeye MVP.
Comeback Player of the Year: Chris Olave - Wide Receiver, New Orleans Saints
Chris Olave’s journey this season wasn’t just about numbers-it was about resilience.
Since entering the league in 2022, Olave has dealt with a brutal stretch of injuries, suffering four concussions that sidelined him for 11 games over three seasons. After two more in 2024, the 24-year-old wideout found himself at a crossroads.
“I was only 24 years old, contemplating retirement,” Olave said in December. “But I prayed about it.
My fam, my close fam, was around me. They stuck by my side and I just gave it another try.”
That decision turned into a career-defining season.
Olave bounced back in a big way, hauling in 100 catches for 1,163 yards and nine touchdowns while suiting up for 16 of 17 games. He looked every bit the smooth, savvy receiver who once lit up the Big Ten alongside Smith-Njigba and Wilson.
His breakout moment at Ohio State came as a freshman in 2018, when he blocked a punt and scored twice in a rivalry win over Michigan. That game put him on the national radar. This season, he reminded everyone why he belonged there in the first place.
For overcoming adversity and returning to top form, Olave earns the nod as Buckeye Comeback Player of the Year.
Coach of the Year: Mike Vrabel - Head Coach, New England Patriots
Mike Vrabel didn’t just return to the sidelines-he stormed back with purpose.
After parting ways with the Titans following the 2023 season, Vrabel spent a year behind the scenes with the Browns. When the Patriots came calling, he took over a team that had just finished 4-13. What followed was one of the most remarkable turnarounds in NFL history.
Under Vrabel’s leadership, New England flipped the script, winning 17 games and punching their ticket to the Super Bowl. That 13-win swing is the largest two-season improvement the league has ever seen.
Vrabel’s coaching chops are rooted in a decorated playing career that began at Ohio State, where he terrorized quarterbacks as a two-time Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year. He racked up 36 sacks in Columbus before going on to win three Super Bowls as a player.
Now, he’s building a legacy as a head coach.
“I can’t say enough about coach Vrabel,” said Patriots offensive lineman Garett Bradbury after their AFC Championship win. “His leadership and the vision he had for this team and how he built it - it’s awesome.”
Vrabel’s blend of toughness, strategy, and culture-building makes him a top candidate for NFL Coach of the Year-and our Buckeye Coach of the Year.
Rookie of the Year: TreVeyon Henderson - Running Back, New England Patriots
TreVeyon Henderson didn’t start his rookie season with a bang-but he sure finished with one.
Early on, Henderson was still finding his footing, splitting carries with veteran Rhamondre Stevenson and adjusting to the pace of the NFL. Through seven games, he had just 43 carries. But once the Patriots leaned into his skill set, the offense opened up.
Henderson ended the season with 911 rushing yards on 180 carries, nine touchdowns, and a healthy 5.1 yards per carry. He added 35 catches for 221 yards and a score through the air, showcasing the dual-threat ability that made him such a weapon at Ohio State.
His late-season surge turned him into a focal point of New England’s offense-and a nightmare for opposing defenses.
At Ohio State, Henderson was a key cog in the Buckeyes’ 2024 national championship run, finishing his college career with over 3,700 all-purpose yards and 42 total touchdowns. He was one of 14 Buckeyes selected in the 2025 NFL Draft, tying a program record.
Now, he’s in the running for NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, with a strong case to become the third Buckeye to win the award since 2020.
The Buckeye Standard
From Smith-Njigba’s dominance to Olave’s redemption, Vrabel’s leadership, and Henderson’s emergence, Ohio State’s imprint on the NFL was undeniable this season. With more than five dozen Buckeyes making plays across the league, the pipeline from Columbus to the pros is as strong as ever.
And with a Super Bowl looming that features three former Buckeyes on the field and one calling the shots from the sideline, the scarlet and gray is still shining bright on football’s biggest stage.