The NFL Draft deadline has come and gone, and Ohio State’s roster for 2026 is starting to take shape. While the Buckeyes are losing five underclassmen to early draft declarations - including some serious first-round talent - they’re also keeping a strong core of veterans who’ve opted to return for another run in Columbus. That balance could be crucial as Ohio State looks to reload, not rebuild.
Five Buckeyes Declare Early - No Shocks Here
Let’s start with the headliners. Safety Caleb Downs, defensive tackle Kayden McDonald, linebacker Arvell Reese, wide receiver Carnell Tate, and tight end Max Klare are all officially headed to the NFL.
No surprises in that group - Downs, Reese, and Tate are all projected to go in the first round, with both Downs and Reese widely viewed as top-10 picks. McDonald, fresh off a unanimous All-American season, could sneak into the back half of Round 1.
Klare’s decision is a little more nuanced. He’s not a projected first-rounder - most mock drafts have him in the third-round range - but after four years of college football (including a redshirt year at Purdue), he’s ready to make the leap. There was always a sense that his transfer to Ohio State might be a one-year showcase, and that’s exactly how it played out.
Four Draft-Eligible Starters Are Running It Back
While those five move on, Ohio State is bringing back a solid group of draft-eligible starters who could’ve tested the waters but chose to stay. That list includes wide receiver Brandon Inniss and offensive linemen Austin Siereveld, Luke Montgomery, and Carson Hinzman - all of whom played key roles in 2025.
Inniss showed flashes but finished with just 36 catches for 271 yards and three touchdowns. He likely wouldn’t have heard his name called in the draft, so staying another year gives him a chance to elevate his game and his stock.
Up front, Siereveld and Montgomery were first-year starters in 2025, and both showed enough promise to draw draft interest. Another year in the trenches should only help their development.
Hinzman has more experience under his belt but was trending toward a late-round projection. He’ll be looking to anchor the interior line and make a push up draft boards in 2026.
Three More Starters Expected to Stay
Defensive end Kenyatta Jackson Jr., cornerback Jermaine Mathews Jr., and right tackle Phillip Daniels haven’t made public announcements, but all signs point to them staying put in Columbus - especially now that the draft deadline has passed.
Jackson was the one name in this group that raised some eyebrows. Like Klare, he’s been in college for four years, and coming into last season, there was legitimate first-round buzz.
But after a year that didn’t quite match those expectations, he would’ve been looking at a Day 2 or even early Day 3 selection. Returning gives him a chance to reestablish himself as a dominant edge presence.
Mathews, a one-year starter at corner, flashed enough to be considered a possible mid-round pick, but he’s got the tools to push much higher with another strong season. Daniels, a redshirt sophomore, was never a strong candidate to leave early, but his name’s on this list because he started in 2025 and technically could have declared. With two years of eligibility remaining, he’s likely to continue developing on the right side of the line.
Seniors on Their Way Out
In addition to the early departures, Ohio State is also saying goodbye to 11 seniors who’ve exhausted their eligibility. That group includes linebacker Sonny Styles, defensive end Caden Curry, cornerback Davison Igbinosun, tight end Will Kacmarek, and several others.
Styles is the standout here - a projected first-round pick and one of the most versatile defensive players in the country. If he joins Downs, McDonald, Reese, and Tate in the first round, Ohio State would tie its school record with five first-round picks in a single draft. That’s a mark the Buckeyes hit in both 2006 and 2016.
Curry and Igbinosun are both expected to land somewhere in the middle rounds, while Kacmarek could be a Day 3 sleeper. The rest of the group - including Lorenzo Styles Jr., Tywone Malone Jr., CJ Donaldson, Ethan Onianwa, Jayden Fielding, John Ferlmann, and Eli Brickhandler - may not hear their names called during the draft, but several should get their shot as undrafted free agents.
What It All Means for 2026
Ohio State’s draft class is once again loaded with top-tier talent, but the real story might be the players who are staying. With key returners on the offensive line, a wideout looking to break out, and defensive starters like Jackson and Mathews back in the fold, the Buckeyes are retaining a strong foundation.
Losing five underclassmen to the draft - including four potential first-rounders - would sting for most programs. But Ohio State’s ability to keep seven other draft-eligible starters in Columbus gives them a chance to reload quickly. The 2026 roster won’t be short on experience or upside, and that’s a dangerous combination for any team hoping to challenge the Buckeyes in the Big Ten.