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Ohio State 2025 NFL Draft prospects: An early look at where Emeka Egbuka, others may land

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Ohio State 2025 NFL Draft prospects: An early look at where Emeka Egbuka, others may land


Ohio State’s 2025 NFL draft class could be one for the ages, making the one just concluded feel like a prelude. Most of the key players from last year’s Buckeye team opted to come back, though many would have been high draft picks.

Thank the desire to finally beat Michigan and win a Big Ten championship and a national title as well as reaping the benefits of name, image and likeness for their returns to Columbus.

Ohio State likely will have double-digit draft picks in 2025, with numerous ones potentially going in the first round. Marvin Harrison Jr. was the only Buckeye taken among the first 32 picks this year.

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The future draftees are spread at almost every position. The defensive line should be well-represented with Jack Sawyer, J.T. Tuimoloau and Tyleik Williams. Defensive backs Denzel Burke, Davison Igbinosun, Jordan Hancock and Lathan Ransom could hear their names early. On offense, receiver Emeka Egbuka, running backs TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins, and guard Donovan Jackson could be the headliners.

Ohio State 2025 NFL draft prospects

Next year’s draft should be a Buckeye bonanza. Here’s a look at the top prospects, first on defense and then on offense:

Jack Sawyer, defensive end, senior

Sawyer made a splash late last season as he finished with five sacks in the Buckeyes’ final three games, including three against Missouri in the Cotton Bowl. If the trajectory continues as he lives up to his five-star pedigree, he could become Ohio State’s highest-drafted defensive lineman since Chase Young went No. 2 overall in 2020.

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Denzel Burke, cornerback, senior

Starting for the Buckeyes since he was a freshman in 2021, Burke bounced last year after he slumped as a sophomore, reemerging as one of the top cover cornerbacks in college football. At 6-foot-1, he won’t be as lanky as other corner prospects, but he has a refined technique that limits completions against him. Burke’s confidence will also help with the jump.

J.T. Tuimoloau, defensive end, senior

Though his stat-stuffing performance at Penn State two years ago set the bar a bit high, Tuimoloau has been a consistent game-wrecker on the defensive line with his pass rush and run stuff. His combination of size and athleticism, allowing him to move around and drop in coverage, should put him high on teams’ draft boards next spring.  

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Tyleik Williams, defensive tackle, senior

When Williams enrolled at Ohio State in 2021, he weighed more than 360 pounds. The extra pounds limited his stamina and snaps. But as he dropped 40 pounds, his role in the interior of the defensive line expanded, and he broke out as a junior last fall. Williams is still a physically imposing tackle at 6-foot-3 and 327 pounds, making him a load to handle for blockers.

Cody Simon, linebacker, senior

Simon is an instinctive inside linebacker in line to take over for Tommy Eichenberg as the “Mike” for the Buckeyes. He’s experienced, having started in 2021, as well as rotating for Eichenberg and as part of three-linebacker packages the last two seasons. Returning for his extra COVID-19 year of eligibility and moving up the depth chart, he’ll have a chance to raise his draft stock as a super senior.

Lathan Ransom, safety, senior

The talented safety missed the end of last season because of a foot injury. Though Ransom intended to enter the NFL draft before the injury, he is pleased to have another year as a Buckeye. He impressed as a sophomore in 2021 before breaking a leg in the Rose Bowl against Utah. Ransom had an excellent year in 2022 until the Michigan game. He ranked third on the team in tackles with 74 and was a Thorpe Award semifinalist.

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Davison Igbinosun, cornerback, junior

After transferring from Mississippi to Ohio State last year, Igbinosun emerged as the starting cornerback opposite Burke and should be an intriguing prospect next spring if he forgoes his senior season. His 6-foot-2 frame gives him extra length for a cornerback, and he is also a strong tackler. His 59 tackles were the third-most for the Buckeyes.

Jordan Hancock, cornerback, senior

With Ohio State maintaining a deep group of cornerbacks, Hancock largely filled in as a slot safety last season. It’s easy to project Hancock as a nickel cornerback as a result, but the limited opportunities at outside cornerback could make him a more challenging evaluation for teams.

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Ty Hamilton, defensive tackle, senior

A late bloomer in the mold of his older brother, he should see his role expand after he split starts with Mike Hall Jr. last season. Hamilton has been a valuable run stuffer for the Buckeyes and has good size for an interior tackle at 6-foot-3 and 295 pounds.

Emeka Egbuka, wide receiver, senior

Egbuka has been overshadowed for most of his Buckeye career, first by Jaxon Smith-Njigba and then by Marvin Harrison Jr. But he is a bona fide star in his own right. Egbuka has all the tools – speed, hands, work ethic, intelligence – to become the next first-round receiver from Ohio State.

TreVeyon Henderson, running back, senior

Injuries have kept Henderson from being the dominant runner he is capable of being. He has missed games in all three seasons as a Buckeye. The hope is that sharing the load with Quinshon Judkins will keep both of them fresh and limit the chance for injury. Henderson has the speed and elusiveness to make him a game-breaking threat whenever he finds daylight.

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Quinshon Judkins, running back, junior

Judkins was a workhorse for Ole Miss in his first two seasons, and he was an All-SEC star. Judkins said he has no misgivings about sharing the load with Henderson because a lighter workload should make him more effective and be less of a grind on his body.

Donovan Jackson, guard, senior

Jackson was a five-star recruit who has been quite solid but not necessarily dominant so far. He has all the tools to become that type of player. Jackson is big, strong and athletic for a player his size and is a student of the game.

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Will Howard, quarterback, senior

First, Howard has to secure the OSU starting job, which he has not done yet. But assuming that Howard beats out Devin Brown, he’ll have the keys to a high-powered offense. Howard might not be an elite passer yet, but has ideal size and mobility as well as maturity and other intangibles to make him a potential NFL quarterback.

Josh Simmons, offensive tackle, junior

Simmons was thrown into the deep end last year as a transfer from San Diego State. He arrived after spring practice and then switched from the right to left side of the line. Simmons had some struggles early but then settled in as the year progressed. Teammates describe him as an athletic freak. If the mental side of the game catches up with the physical, watch out.

Gee Scott Jr., tight end, senior

Scott finally gets a chance to start following the departure of Cade Stover to the NFL. A former receiver, Scott has gradually bulked up to become a capable blocker while maintaining his receiver skills.

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Seth McLaughlin, center, senior

McLaughlin was a starter at Alabama, though his final year was marred by some snapping issues late in the season. Assuming that’s a blip, McLaughlin should solidify a center position that was a liability last year.

Josh Fryar, offensive tackle, senior

Fryar isn’t the most gifted athlete, but he is a grinder who’ll maximize his ability. There has been some speculation he might move inside to guard this season, but spring practice ended with him firmly back at right tackle.

Ohio State NFL draft picks 2024

  • Round 1, Pick 4: Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Cardinals
  • Round 2, Pick 54: Mike Hall Jr., DT, Browns
  • Round 4, Pick 123: Cade Stover, TE, Texans
  • Round 5, Pick 148: Tommy Eichenberg, LB, Raiders

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Hoosiers face first real test in Ohio State; ‘Time is ticking’ for 49ers

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Hoosiers face first real test in Ohio State; ‘Time is ticking’ for 49ers


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Two of this weekend’s most-interesting football games will be broadcast over the FOX Sports airwaves. We’ve got you covered.

Up first, No. 2 Ohio State welcomes No. 5 Indiana to The Horseshoe on Saturday. Then on Sunday, Kevin Burkhardt and Tom Brady will guide you through the San Francisco 49ers-Green Bay Packers tilt at Lambeau Field.

You can watch ‘em both on FOX Sports and the FOX Sports app.

A second shameless plug complete.

Seriously, though, the Buckeyes-Hoosiers matchup is extremely polarizing in the betting market. Circa Sports in Las Vegas opened Ohio State -12 this past Sunday and initial money showed for the underdog. Indiana got bet down to +11 before a blitz on the favorite shoved the line out to -13.

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The line climbed as high as Ohio State -13.5 before news broke that OSU’s top offensive lineman, center Seth McLaughlin, tore his Achilles.

“I took Indiana +13.5,” a respected professional bettor told FOX Sports.

“I bet it right when word got out about Ohio State’s center. You know the books are going to move the line, so you bet it. Center is a big position for me. Changing centers this late in the season can cause some issues. And I think Indiana is a good team. I guess we’re going to find out how good.”

My FOX teammate Geoff Schwartz played offensive line at the highest level for six years, and he’s well-aware of the musical chairs in Columbus.

“It’s concerning because offensive line depth is non-existent in this sport,” Schwartz said. “When you lose a starting left tackle and center, there’s not much you can do to replace their production. They already moved the left guard to left tackle, so now you’re moving the backup guard to center. 

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“You hope that scheme and situation will remain favorable to help that group. Running the ball and staying out of high-leverage situations like third and long will be helpful. Indiana’s defensive line has good pieces, but it’s probably not good enough to render Ohio State inoperable for 60 minutes.”

Schwartz likes OSU to pull away late and win 31-14.

Colin & JMac’s Big Ten Bets: Take the over on Indiana-Ohio State, UCLA covers vs. USC

Colin & JMac's Big Ten Bets: Take the over on Indiana-Ohio State, UCLA covers vs. USC

The elephant in the room is that “InDiAnA hAsN’t PlAyEd AnYbOdY” and almost every television pundit believes Ohio State will emerge victorious. 

Come to think of it, the narrative isn’t about the Hoosiers losing, as opposed to how much they will lose by.

“Of course there are concerns about their schedule,” the bettor continued. “But you can only play who’s in front of you. They’ve taken care of business in every game. Great coach, great quarterback. Don’t get me wrong, they could lay a total egg and Ohio State could blow them out. I still took the points.” 

Over to the NFL, the reigning NFC champions have attracted a ton of betting action over the last two days. Green Bay got as high as -2.5 for Sunday’s showdown against San Francisco, then Niners resistance arrived.

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The Niners went from +2.5 to +1.5 by Thursday morning and wise guys will likely keep fighting around the 2. 

There are clearly opinions on both sides.

Can San Francisco 49ers pull off the UPSET vs. Green Bay Packers in NFL Week 12?

Can San Francisco 49ers pull off the UPSET vs. Green Bay Packers in NFL Week 12?

“We like Green Bay at a cheap price,” the bettor said.  “San Francisco has a lot of problems right now and it’s more than just the injuries. 

“This is not the Niners team from last year or the last few years. Nobody’s really lowering their power rating, though, because the pedigree is blinding. There’s always going to be someone who thinks they’ll bounce back. They’re not a top-five team to me.  

“Next week at Buffalo, they make the line [Buffalo -3.5 vs. San Francisco] and Buffalo was only 2.5 on Kansas City. So you’re telling me Kansas City and San Francisco play to almost the same rating? Stop.”

It certainly doesn’t help that Nick Bosa, George Kittle, Brock Purdy and Trent Williams are all dealing with injuries. Perhaps they could all play, but there’s a difference between playing and performing.

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“Time is ticking,” the bettor said. “If the Niners lose these next two games, the season’s over.” 

Sam Panayotovich is a sports betting analyst for FOX Sports and BetQL Network. He previously worked for WGN Radio, NBC Sports and VSiN. Follow him on Twitter @spshoot.

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Drake Bell unmasked on ‘The Masked Singer,’ his career, Ohio connections

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Drake Bell unmasked on ‘The Masked Singer,’ his career, Ohio connections


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Drake Bell, the former child star turned singer and actor, was featured on the hit singing competition television series “The Masked Singer” and was unmasked as the Ice King.

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Bell took the stage on “The Masked Singer” after opening up about his traumatic experiences as a child star in the documentary series “Quiet on Set.” 

What connections does Drake Bell have to Ohio? Here’s what to know.

Drake Bell performed as the Ice King on ‘The Masked Singer’

On the Nov. 20 episode, Bell competed as the Ice King on the singing competition show “The Masked Singer” for Miley Cyrus Night, according to People.

Bell had a “freeing experience” while performing on the show after opening up about the abuse he endured as a child star. Bell shared his experience of alleged sexual abuse at the hands of Brian Peck in the docuseries, “Quiet on Set.”

The series also features many former Nickelodeon staff members. They spoke out against former producer Dan Schneider, who was accused of engaging in unprofessional and inappropriate behaviors in the Nickelodeon workplace.

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Drake Bell had legal trouble in Ohio years before going on ‘The Masked Singer’

Before competing on “The Masked Singer,” Drake Bell was charged with disseminating harmful matter to juveniles and attempted child endangerment after being accused of sexual contact and grooming an underage fan in June 2021. He pleaded guilty to attempted child endangerment, the Dispatch reported.

At the time in court, the victim, who was a fan of Bell, claimed the exchanges began when she was 12. She said Bell exchanged explicit photos online and engaged in sexual conduct with her on several occasions, including at a 2017 concert venue in Cleveland and at a hotel.

Furthermore, the victim contacted Toronto police in October 2018, and they forwarded its findings to Cleveland police, prompting an investigation.

Bell claimed he was “unaware” of her age and communicated with her only through text and no physical contact, and also admitted that his interactions with the fan were “reckless and irresponsible.”

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Bell found fame on Nickelodeon, which has Ohio roots

The “Drake and Josh” actor began his career at Nickelodeon, a kids’ channel that was developed in 1977 with the help of a Columbus, Ohio-based company, Qube, the first two-way interactive cable system/remote control by Warner Cable.

Before Nickelodeon was Pinwheel, a Qube channel that aired commercial-free, kid-friendly content 12 hours a day. Pinwheel later became Nickelodeon once Qube went under in 1984.

What shows has Drake Bell performed on?

Bell began his singing and acting career as a child. He acted on Nickelodeon’s “The Amanda Show” and later “Drake & Josh,” according to IDMb.

Bell also starred in many movies, including “Yours, Mine & Ours,” “Superhero Movie,” and two “Drake & Josh” movies. 

Grace Tucker and Jenna Ryu contributed to this report.

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How can Ohio State football beat Indiana? 3 keys for top-five matchup against Hoosiers

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How can Ohio State football beat Indiana? 3 keys for top-five matchup against Hoosiers


Here are three keys for No. 2 Ohio State against No. 5 Indiana on Saturday:

Start fast

The Buckeyes have played in big games, having been in two top-five matchups over the past month and a half. The matchup is a much steeper ramp up in competition for the Hoosiers, who have not faced a ranked opponent and only one in the top half of the Big Ten standings this year. The gap in experience adds incentive for Ohio State to build an early lead and energize the crowd at the Horseshoe. It would put Indiana in an unfamiliar position, having to come from behind in a rabid environment. The Hoosiers had not even trailed in a game until this month.

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Get pressure

Kurtis Rourke, the sixth-year starting quarterback who transferred to Indiana from Ohio, is one of the most efficient passers in the Football Bowl Subdivision, especially when he is well protected. Among quarterbacks with a minimum of 100 dropbacks, only three have a higher NFL passer rating from a clean pocket, according to Pro Football Focus. It’s why the Buckeyes must find ways to disrupt him. When Michigan gave the Hoosiers a scare earlier this month, it did so by sacking Rourke four times, including three during a second half in which the Wolverines held them to 18 total yards.

Account for Mikail Kamara

Between Marshall’s Mike Green and Penn State’s Abdul Carter, the Buckeyes have seen some of the best edge rushers in the sport. Kamara fits into that group as well. One of the James Madison transfers who followed Curt Cignetti to Indiana last offseason, Kamara leads the FBS with 53 total pressures, including nine sacks, per PFF. It’s the biggest test for the Buckeyes’ reshuffled offensive line since facing Carter earlier this month. While Carter had two sacks, twice getting around left tackle Donovan Jackson, the line held up and kept quarterback Will Howard from facing too much pressure. It will need to do so again.

Key matchup

Ohio State secondary vs. Indiana receivers

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The defensive backs were a liability for the Buckeyes in their loss at Oregon last month as the Ducks’ receivers got behind them in coverage, and they have not fully quelled concerns in the following weeks. While the Hoosiers lack a burner like Tez Johnson, they have a deep collection of pass catchers. Five receivers have caught multiple touchdowns, led by Elijah Sarratt’s six scores. Rourke and Sarratt execute a high volume of back-shoulder throws that could challenge cornerbacks Denzel Burke or Davison Igbinosun who will need to keep the James Madison transfer from pulling in his share of 50-50 balls on the perimeter. The receiving corps is as good as the Buckeyes will see outside of Oregon and one of the biggest factors in Indiana’s upset bid.   

Key stat

13: Total points allowed by Indiana in the first quarter over a span of 10 games.

Joey Kaufman covers Ohio State football for The Columbus Dispatch. Follow him on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, @joeyrkaufman or email him at jkaufman@dispatch.com.

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