Ohio State’s pipeline to the NFL keeps humming, and the 2027 draft class could give the Buckeyes another strong showing even if this year’s group doesn’t have the same obvious first-round volume.
Jeremiah Smith is the headliner, and he’s playing like it. The Ohio State receiving yards record holder and Heisman contender is expected to be a top-5 pick, and his start has only strengthened that case.
He leads the nation in receiving yards and touchdowns, and his 217-yard, four-touchdown explosion against Illinois was so loud that it got their defensive coordinator booted after the game. At this point, anything short of Smith going in the first three picks of the 2027 NFL Draft would qualify as a shock.
After Smith, the Buckeyes’ draft picture gets more layered. Some players look like steady risers, others like late-round bets, and a few sit somewhere in between depending on how the rest of the season plays out.
One of the more interesting names is Siereveld. Even with the offensive line still dealing with shaky play to open the season, he’s been a reliable tackle for Ohio State over the last two years. Add in the fact that he can also slide inside to guard, and he becomes the kind of versatile lineman NFL teams love to stash for depth.
In the secondary, McClain has started to make his presence felt. The junior safety drew some of the attention after Ohio State’s rough showing against Illinois last Saturday, but he still managed to create disruption by getting his hands on passes. Through the opening stretch, he has an interception and three pass deflections, and that kind of production on the back end should keep scouts watching closely.
Jackson Jr. has been one of the few consistent bright spots up front for an Ohio State pass rush still trying to settle in. He is tied for the team lead with two sacks, and if he can keep building on that at 6-foot-6 and 263 pounds, he’ll have NFL teams paying attention in a hurry.
Sayin might be the most difficult projection on the board. His stock could move in any direction from here, but his showing against Illinois gave evaluators something new to file away.
He flashed mobility in the pocket and added another layer to his game. If he keeps showing that versatility while maintaining his unprecedented accuracy, and if Ohio State finishes strong in the postseason, first-round talk could follow.
On the offensive line, Montgomery has already built a reputation as a mauler since earning more playing time during Ohio State’s championship run in 2024. The aggression can get him into trouble in the run game at times, but that same physical edge makes it hard to imagine NFL teams letting him slip too far. A selection after the fourth round would be a surprise.
Alliegro is tougher to fully gauge because of Ohio State’s constant linebacker rotation this season, but his career production still matters. If he can help stabilize a defense that has been vulnerable to big plays, he could become the kind of late-round dart throw a team is willing to make.
Hinzman’s calling card has long been his communication and his drive to make the unit elite. He may not have the same tools as some of Ohio State’s past standout centers, but the effort and leadership are exactly the kind of traits that can keep him on draft boards late.
McCuin opened the year with real momentum after catching six passes for 97 yards and a touchdown against Ball State. Since then, though, he has added only 68 yards and appears to be in danger of losing the true WR2 role.
If he can get back into the mix in some of the bigger games ahead, his stock could climb. For now, he looks like a late-speed option for a team willing to bet on upside.
Pierce has shown he can help in the run game and has a good feel for forcing turnovers, but the linebacker rotation around him has worked against his standing, especially with other options appearing more athletic. Even so, he has enough good tape to project as a depth linebacker who could come off the board late.
Little Jr. rounds out the list, and he’s the kind of player who could have been viewed as more of an undrafted pickup not long ago. But his speed and willingness to fly around the field have given him a chance to move into late draft consideration. He likes to come down from the safety spot and make plays, and if he can help cut down big plays while creating turnovers, he may get more scouts’ attention before the draft arrives.
In Other News...
Julian Sayin Sends Ohio State Offense A Clear Warning Before Iowa
Julian Sayin left the Illinois game sounding more like a quarterback settling into the bigger picture than one looking for a quick victory lap. He pointed to the offense's steady progress, the value of keeping drives alive with his legs, and the growing comfort level around him as young receivers continue to take on larger roles. Jeremiah Smith has been a central part of that mix, and Sayin also credited the veteran offensive linemen for helping stabilize things up front as the Buckeyes keep building.
The next test comes with another road trip, and Sayin made it clear those spots demand sharper execution and a little more maturity from everyone involved. Iowa is the kind of place where the margin for error can shrink fast, and Ohio State's quarterback knows the offense cannot treat this as a finished product. The message from Sayin was simple enough: the Buckeyes have come a long way, but the real work is still ahead. [Read more 🡒]
Ohio State Still Has One Passing Game Issue Jeremiah Smith Cant Solve
Jeremiah Smith has been everything Ohio State could have hoped for in the passing game, and then some. The offensive coordinator, Arthur Smith, pointed to the wideouts exceptional production, with Jeremiah Smith leading the nation in receiving yards and touchdowns, while the Buckeyes continue to lean on him as the centerpiece of the aerial attack.
Still, the passing game has one lingering question beyond its star. Ohio State is trying to establish a reliable second option, with Devin McCuin currently sitting as the teams second-leading receiver, and coaches and players have kept stressing that the offense will need more than one target to keep evolving. The message from inside the program is clear enough: the Buckeyes are pleased with the production they have, but they also know the next layer of consistency has to come from somewhere else. [Read more 🡒]
Ohio State Has One Huge Chance To Make A National Statement
Ohio State heads into a rare early measuring-stick game with a chance to leave no doubt about where it stands nationally. The Buckeyes have looked sharp enough to build real momentum, and the next step comes in a difficult road setting where every possession matters and every explosive play carries extra weight.
Jeremiah Smith remains one of the biggest reasons this game has taken on added intrigue, even beyond the team stakes around him. With the matchup set against unbeaten Iowa and its stingy defense at Kinnick Stadium, Ohio State will also be watching how Julian Sayin handles the moment and whether the defense can create the kind of turnovers that turn a good win into something louder. [Read more 🡒]