PITTSBURGH, PA – It was a “Scarlet and Gray” takeover at Acrisure Stadium Thursday night as the Ohio State Buckeyes asserted their dominance on the national stage, seeing four superstars selected in the first 11 picks of the 2026 NFL Draft.
The historic night further cements Ohio State’s reputation as a professional pipeline, particularly for elite receivers and defensive anchors.
Carnell Tate Heads to Music City
The Tennessee Titans kicked off the Buckeye run by selecting wide receiver Carnell Tate with the No. 4 overall pick. Tate becomes the fifth straight Ohio State receiver to be taken in the first round, joining the likes of Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Egbuka.
Titans General Manager Mike Borgonzi didn’t mince words about the pick: “Carnell Tate—we thought he was the best receiver in the draft.” Tate is expected to be a primary target for Titans quarterback Cam Ward immediately.
Giants and Commanders Bolster Defenses
The NFC East spent the evening raiding the Buckeyes’ defensive depth chart:
- No. 5 – New York Giants: The G-Men selected edge defender Arvell Reese. The Cleveland Glenville product and Butkus-Fitzgerald Linebacker of the Year brings 4.46 speed to New York’s pass rush.
- No. 7 – Washington Commanders: Washington snagged Sonny Styles, a versatile 6-foot-5 linebacker. Styles, a Pickerington native, posted an FBS-best tackling grade last season and is expected to fix a Commanders defense that struggled with missed tackles in 2025.
Cowboys Trade Up for Caleb Downs
In one of the most aggressive moves of the night, the Dallas Cowboys traded up to the No. 11 spot to secure safety Caleb Downs. The move reportedly stunned the rival Giants, who also had Downs high on their board.
Downs, a two-time Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and Jim Thorpe Award winner, didn’t allow a single touchdown as a primary defender during his time in Columbus. “He was a prize for us sitting there,” said Cowboys owner Jerry Jones.
A Record-Breaking Foundation
With four players off the board before the midpoint of the first round, the Buckeyes once again proved why they are the gold standard for NFL preparation.
Ohio State Day 1 Selections:
| Pick | Player | Position | NFL Team |
| 4 | Carnell Tate | WR | Tennessee Titans |
| 5 | Arvell Reese | EDGE | New York Giants |
| 7 | Sonny Styles | LB | Washington Commanders |
| 11 | Caleb Downs | S | Dallas Cowboys |
The draft continues tonight with Rounds 2 and 3, where several more Buckeyes—including defensive tackle Kayden McDonald and cornerback Davison Igbinosun—are expected to hear their names called.
