GREEN BAY, WI — The 2025 NFL Draft was a significant one for the Ohio State football program that positions so many talented players and justifies the school’s team motto: “developed here.” Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson. After logging an overwhelming backfield performance to the College Football Playoff national championship, running backs Quinshon Judkins, TreVeyon Henderson, and wide receiver Emeka Egbuka stole the headlines by being selected on day one in the first round. On day 2, Judkins and Henderson were two picks apart in the second round, as the stars were aligned for them to take their talents to the next level in the NFL.
It was a historic draft for Ohio State players such as Quinshon Judkins, who was the Cleveland Browns’ No. 36 overall pick, and TreVeyon Henderson, who was right behind at No. 38 by the New England Patriots. Their choices led to a banner draft day, as Ohio State had six players taken in the first 40 picks, showing their place as an elite college football program. This accomplishment also tied the school record to 2016.
The good news for the Buckeyes didn’t stop there—defensive end J.T. Tuimoloau soon followed, landing as the No. 45 overall pick by the Indianapolis Colts. The trio drew Ohio State even in terms of the total number of players selected in the first two rounds, which leads the nation and only reinforces the school’s dominance when it comes to sending players to the NFL.
Quinshon Judkins was the first Ohio State running back drafted since Trey Sermon in 2021. In his time at Ohio State, Hack led the national champions in rushing yards and touchdowns, with 1,060 yards and 14 touchdowns, just in the 2024 season. He finished his career with 3,785 rushing yards and 50 total touchdowns in 42 games.
TreVeyon Henderson, fifth among the Buckeyes’ all-time rushers with 3,761 yards and third in touchdowns with 48, was also drafted into the NFL alongside Judkins. They were the first pair of OSU backs to be selected in the same year since 1991. Their success is a credit not to their talents, but to what Ohio State has done in developing players.
What made the 2025 NFL Draft so unique to Ohio State was that a record four players from the defensive line were picked this year. J.T. Tuimoloau headlined this unit with his gaudy numbers — 21.5 tackles for loss and 12.5 sacks in, 2024 — crossing the line to the professional ranks. He also became the 18th defensive lineman in line coached by Larry Johnson to be drafted, a clear sign of the superb job done in developing and coaching quality defensive line prospects at Ohio State.
More Buckeyes had their names called as the draft moved along. Defensive end Jack Sawyer went in the fourth round to the Pittsburgh Steelers, and defensive tackle Ty Hamilton did the same in the fifth round to the Los Angeles Rams, making them the first Buckeye twosome drafted at a position from Ohio State than defensive tackle since 2020.
Ohio State’s total was an impressive 14 draft picks, tying the school record set in 2004. That number isn’t just impressive because it ties the school record; it also represents the fifth time since 1994 that Ohio State had at least 10 players taken in a draft.
On Day 3 of the draft, Ohio State added linebacker Cody Simon, safety Lathan Ransom, cornerbacks Jordan Hancock and Denzel Burke, and quarterback Will Howard to its roster. Simon, the national champion who led the team with 112 tackles, was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals, and Howard, who set single-season and career passing records at Ohio State, went to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
These Buckeyes are now on to the following chapters of their NFL careers, taking what they accomplished in college while looking ahead to better days.
