Ohio State University continues to be represented incredibly well in the NFL, and it doesn’t look like a trend that’s going to stop any time soon.

The reigning, defending National Champions continue to roll through the college football world with a 6-0 record, tied for first in the Big Ten with Indiana.

ESPN’s NFL Draft guru, Mel Kiper Jr. released his first Big Board and there are seven Buckeyes that he lists.

Linebacker, Arvell Reese

Kiper gets to the point immediately when describing him by saying “this is a complete football player.”

In his Big Board, Reese is listed as the top linebacker in the country, and fourth overall.

Currently he’s on a tear with 38 tackles, four tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks and two pass breakups, but what truly sets him apart from the pack is his innate ability to read plays.

He has tremendous instincts and can bridge the gap at an elite level, but also, his burst is unmatched.

Safety, Caleb Downs

Perhaps the best safety in the country, and it’s no surprise why Kiper has him listed as the seventh overall player, and the top safety in the class.

Kiper wrote, “[He] is basically an extension of the defensive coordinator. His football knowledge shows in his play; it's obvious when you watch him in the Ohio State defense. But what really impressed me is how well he picked up Nick Saban's system as a 2023 freshman at Alabama before transferring.”

He was one of the most dominating freshmen in recent memory while with the Tide, leading the SEC with 70 solo tackles and it seems like he hasn’t lost a step.

The following season, when he helped lead the Buckeyes to the National Championship, he boosted his tackling numbers with 7.5 tackles for loss. Not only that, he also registered two interceptions and six pass breakups.

Wide Receiver, Carnell Tate

As the 12th-best player on Kiper’s Big Board and third best receiver, Tate is taking a massive step in his junior season after Emeka Egbuka went to the NFL.

“Tate is putting up some serious numbers and showing why he is a top prospect for this class,” Kiper writes. “Tate has produced big plays on a regular basis, averaging 17 yards per catch this season. He is a precise route runner, has great hands and displays outstanding body control. And he'll also happily block for ball carriers, which NFL coaches love to see.”

His big bodied, 6-foot-3 frame will pose to be a massive boost for quarterbacks, and in six games so far, he’s already reached the halfway mark to last year’s 733 receiving yards, currently with 476.

Tight End, Max Klare

Currently, Kiper has Klare as the second best tight end on his Big Board behind Oregon’s Kenyon Sadiq. 

For the past three seasons, Klare spent time at Purdue where he didn’t see consistent action until his redshirt sophomore junior season.

Prior to transferring to Ohio State, he posted a career-best 685 yards with four touchdowns on 13.4 yards per reception and was the central piece of the Boilermaker offense.

His first season as a Buckeye is a little down this season, since he is at-best the third option behind Tate and Jeremiah Smith, but he’s been as reliable as can be while also serving as a top notch blocker for running backs Bo Jackson, CJ Donaldson, and James Peoples.

Defensive End, Caden Curry

Patience has paid off for the senior defensive end, as Kiper currently has Curry as the sixth best at his position.

Against Illinois last week, Curry was the highest graded player in the game behind quarterback Julian Sayin, given a 79.2 PFF grade.

Not only that, he currently leads the Big Ten in sacks with six, and set a school record with five tackles for loss in one game against Washington. In that game, he also recorded three sacks and 11 total tackles.

He’s the ideal player in the trenches exuding a quick burst off the line and wields a tremendously stifling spin move.

Defensive Tackle, Kayden McDonald

Behind Curry, McDonald’s three tackles for loss and two sacks in the Washington game made him as one of the more daunting interior defensive linemen. 

Kiper listed McDonald as the sixth best lineman in the Draft, and many mock drafts have McDonald going in the top 100.

Ultimately, McDonald is used best when being a disruptor. He stands at 6-foot-3 and 326 pounds and has become the immovable object on the line. Even when he’s getting blocked in the middle, he’s still strong enough to maneuver through the blocking as well as stopping a run if the offense calls for a drive up the middle.

Linebacker, Sonny Styles

From last season to this season, Styles has been one of the more consistent linebackers in the country.

Kiper has him listed as the fifth best linebacker in the Draft and is fresh off a 10 tackle game last week against Illinois. 

While Reese is the sexier pick, Styles is going to be a tremendous value pick for a team in the second or third round. 

With his elite speed, Styles can blitz the quarterback at a high level, registering six sacks last season, as well as 10.5 tackles for loss.