Ohio
Deep Ohio State football talent pool produces impressive 14 NFL draft picks
Woody Hayes famously believed, “You win with people.” The Old Man was not wrong, but to win at the highest level of college football, you win with people drafted into the NFL.
Ohio State led all schools with seven players selected in the first two rounds of the April 24-26 NFL Draft, including four in the first round, the most for the program since 2016. Not coincidentally, the Buckeyes won the 2024 College Football Playoff national championship. As much as OSU preaches about The Brotherhood, it takes more than strong team chemistry to hoist the CFP trophy. It takes elite talent. And lots of it.
Proof? Check out which schools had the most first-round draft picks. Ohio State (4), Georgia, Texas, Michigan (3), Alabama, Ole Miss, Oregon, Penn State (2), Arizona, Boise State, Colorado, Kentucky, LSU, Miami, Missouri, North Dakota State, Tennessee, Texas A&M, North Carolina.
Ohio State, Georgia, Texas, Oregon, Penn State and Boise either had first-round byes or advanced to the second round of the playoff. Tennessee made the field; Alabama, Miami and Ole Miss nearly did.
What happened to Michigan, which had three first-round picks? 1. Well, the Wolverines did defeat the eventual national champions, which fans of the Maize and Blue are only too happy to remind everyone; and 2. UM had to play without Connor Stalions. A year earlier, the Wolverines won the natty with seven players drafted in the first three rounds, which led all schools. They also led with 13 total picks. And the three first-rounders this year played starring roles on the championship team.
Notre Dame is an exception. The Fighting Irish had no player selected in the first round and only two selected in the first three rounds, which cover the first two days of the draft. Credit ND coach Marcus Freeman with doing more with less, at least compared to Ohio State, Georgia and Texas.
Another way to analyze it: Ohio State has the most first-round picks (95) and third most wins (732) since the draft was instituted in 1936, according to Statmuse.com. Southern California is second with 85 first-rounders and ninth in wins (660), while Alabama is third (85) and leads FBS with 749 wins. Rounding out the top five is Notre Dame (71, fourth most wins with 690) and Miami (68 and 15th most wins with 609).
Majority of OSU early picks were five-star recruits
Not for nothing, four of Ohio State’s seven picks in the first two rounds were rated as five stars coming out of high school by 247sports.com. Maybe OSU recruiting coordinator Mark Pantoni is the real brains behind the Buckeyes’ draft-day success? Or maybe it is offensive coordinator/wide receivers coach Brian Hartline, who, in the spring of 2021, had the following wide receivers in his room: Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave, Jameson Williams, Jaxson Smith-Njigba, Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Egbuka. Four years removed and all six were first-round draft picks. Take away Williams, who transferred to Alabama, and you still have five OSU receivers drafted in the top 20 since 2022. Wowza.
Not to be outdone, Ryan Day’s draft day resume is impressive in its consistency. This is the third time since Day took over from Urban Meyer in 2019 that the Buckeyes have seen at least three players go in the first round. In 2020, it was Chase Young, Jeff Okudah and Damon Arnette; in 2023, C.J. Stroud, Paris Johnson and Smith-Njigba; and in 2025, Egbuka (19th to Tampa Bay), Donovan Jackson (24th to Minnesota), Tyleik Williams (28th to Detroit) and Josh Simmons (32nd to Kansas City).
Buy Ohio State posters, books, gear from CFP title win
Ohio State finished the three-day draft with 14 players selected, tying the school record set in 2004. After the four first-rounders, Quinshon Judkins (Cleveland), TreVeyon Henderson (New England) and J.T. Tuimoloau (Indianapolis) went in the second, followed by fourth-round picks Cody Simon (Arizona), Lathan Ransom (Carolina) and Jack Sawyer (Pittsburgh). Ty Hamilton (L.A. Rams), Jordan Hancock (Buffalo) and Denzel Burke went in the fifth, while Will Howard (Pittsburgh) got picked in the sixth.
Buckeye Nation can now drool over what is coming next. Safety Caleb Downs almost certainly will be a first-round pick next April. Linebacker Sonny Styles also could jump into the first round, and possibly wide receiver Brandon Inniss if he has a big 2025 season. After that, sophomore wide receiver Jeremiah Smith has another year in Columbus before becoming a first-round pick in 2027.
Buckeyes still talented enough to compete for national title
Sprinkle in a handful of second- and third-round picks over the next two seasons, and there is no reason to think Ohio State won’t compete for another national championship next year. The talent is there, as long as the starting quarterback, most likely Julian Sayin, is good enough to eventually get drafted.
The biggest concern? Defensive line, where OSU needs to replace four top-150 picks. Defensive line coach Larry Johnson has developed his guys into strong run stoppers and, at times, dangerous edge rushers. He’ll need to keep it going for the Buckeyes to be a top-10 defense in 2025.
Woody was right. You win with people … who can make a living playing football.
Sports columnist Rob Oller can be reached at roller@dispatch.com and on X.com at@rollerCD.
Get more Ohio State football news by listening to our podcasts
Ohio
Ohio ramp closures set to begin in late June amid Brent Spence Corridor Project construction
CINCINNATI — Ohio drivers will soon see ramp closures take effect as part of construction on the Brent Spence Bridge Corridor Project.
Officials announced the schedule for closures on the Ohio side Tuesday, with the first closure tentatively set for late this month.
According to a post from the Brent Spence Corridor Project’s social media, drivers will see both long-term and permanent ramp closures as a result of the construction.
Here is the full list of closures announced Tuesday:
- Approximately 10 p.m. June 28: The exit ramp from eastbound U.S. 50/Sixth Street Viaduct to Second Street will permanently close.
- Approximately 11 p.m. June 29: The exit ramp from I-75 South to Second Street (Exit 1A) will permanently close. It will be replaced with a new ramp to Third Street that will provide access to Second Street. A temporary ramp to Third Street will be in place in the fall of 2026.
- Approximately 11 p.m. July 7: The ramp from westbound U.S. 50/Sixth Street Viaduct to Gest Street will permanently close and be replaced with a new ramp in “a future phase.”
- Approximately 11 p.m. July 8: The exit ramp from northbound I-71 to Second Street (Exit 1A) will close. It is slated to reopen in the fall of 2028.
- Approximately 10 p.m. July 9: Second Street will be reduced to one lane between the Clay Wade Bailey Bridge and Elm Street and traffic will be maintained in one lane through the spring of 2027.
The $4.05 billion project is expected to take crews until approximately 2031 to complete. That figure includes work on a double-decker companion bridge, two approaches and a re-striping of the existing Brent Spence Bridge. The cost does not include work to fully rehab the existing bridge, which will come at a later date. But the project extends well beyond the double-decker companion bridge and highway approach work.
Crews demolished the Linn Street overpass in April, reducing it from five lanes to two. The $46.7 million project will not only replace the bridge, but also reconstruct it. The new bridge will have two 10-foot driving lanes, as well as bike lanes and sidewalks on each side. A pedestrian bridge over Winchell Avenue will also be replaced. Closures for that work are already in place.
You can find more information on traffic impacts on the Brent Spence Bridge Corridor website here.
Ohio
Ohio unveils limited edition ‘I Voted’ sticker for America 250
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Ohioans will be able to get a limited edition “I Voted” sticker this November that commemorates America’s 250th birthday.
Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose unveiled the special design this week at the 2026 Ohio Secretary of State Annual Conference.
The new design is an effort to encourage more people to vote and highlight the importance of civic engagement. Watch the latest headlines from NBC4 in the player above.
“As our nation prepares to celebrate 250 years of freedom, self-government, and civic participation, this special edition sticker serves as a reminder that every vote helps write the next chapter of the American story,” LaRose said in a statement.
The new sticker features the familiar “I Voted” design but also includes a large blue border, a sunrise illustration in the background, and a large “250” with a gold banner that says “America” with the dates 1776 and 2026.
“You all know the most important thing to some people about Election Day is their ‘I Voted’ sticker,” LaRose said. “Well, it’s become iconic, people love their ‘I Voted’ sticker. So we decided, let’s maybe have some fun and celebrate America’s 250th birthday.”
All 88 county boards of elections will have a limited supply of the special sticker, which will be available to voters who cast early in-person ballots or vote on Election Day, while supplies last.
“We hope Ohio voters will wear this sticker proudly as we celebrate this historic milestone together,” LaRose said.
Early in-person voting for the November election starts on Tuesday, Oct. 6.
Ohio
Joseph J. Milano, Youngstown, Ohio
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (MyValleyTributes) – Joseph J. Milano, age 63, of Youngstown, Ohio, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, surrounded by loved ones.
Born on May 15, 1963 in Sharon, Pennsylvania, Joe lived a life marked by love, dedication, and kindness.
He was a devoted husband/father/grandfather/uncle/friend whose greatest joy came from spending time with family and supporting those he loved. Joe had a lot of amazing qualities, he was selfless, caring, loyal, and relentless, he never had a problem with putting other people’s needs before his own. His work ethic carried into retirement where he picked up new hobbies like whittling. He will be remembered by his wisdom, guidance, respectful, and humble spirit.
He is survived by his wife Jennifer Milano (Weingart), his two sons Joesph and Nicholas Milano, his sister Patricia Ivan (John), his Aunt Jean Morgan, his nephews Colton and Logan Ivan, and his grandson Asher Milano.
He was preceded in death by Joseph Milano (father) Dororthy Kilgore (mother) Walt Kilgore (uncle) Joe will be remembered for his wisdom, guidance, and unwavering support. His respectful and humble spirit earned the admiration of family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing him. He led by example, showing kindness, integrity, and perseverance in both words and actions. The lessons he shared and the love he gave will continue to live in the hearts of those he leaves behind.
The service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, June 17 at St Christines 3165 S Schenley Ave, Youngstown, OH 44511 “A jack of all trades is a master of none, but oftentimes better than a master of one.” He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered.
Arrangements are being handled by the Vaschak-Kirila Funeral Home.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Joseph, please visit our floral store.
A television tribute will air Tuesday, June 16 at the following approximate times: 7:10 a.m. on FOX, 12:22 p.m. on WKBN, 5:08 p.m. on MyYTV and 7:27 p.m. on WYTV. Video will be posted here the day of airing.
-
Entertainment3 minutes agoRapper Mystikal has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for rape: ‘I deserve the max’
-
Politics13 minutes agoNewsom seeks political advantage in probe he says Trump ordered
-
Science18 minutes agoScientists find a whale graveyard in the Indian Ocean that’s millions of years old
-
Sports25 minutes ago
Lakers promote Lawrence Tanter to special advisor for game presentation
-
World33 minutes agoAt least 58 states and territories contaminated by landmines, UN says
-
News58 minutes agoTrump-endorsed Rep. Barry Moore wins GOP primary runoff in Alabama Senate race
-
New York2 hours agoVideo: Racing to the World Cup From New York
-
Los Angeles, Ca2 hours agoCulver City bank robbery suspect arrested after attempted robbery in L.A.