Ohio State's NFL alumni got off on a great start in week one, and the receivers are still leading the way.
It's no surprise anymore that Ohio State is an NFL university. Year after year, they nearly lead the league in draft picks; they have incredible veterans in the league, and it feels as though every time there is a big play made, a Buckeye has something to do with it.
There is one position group that every week goes off like clockwork, and it is the wide receivers. It began on Thursday night when the reigning NFL Offensive Player of the Year, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, got the season off on a bang. He finished Thursday night with eight catches for 122 yards and the game-winning touchdown against the New England Patriots.
It didn't stop there and Sunday was all Buckeyes.
Sunday was headlined by Chris Olave, who was incredible as the Saints nearly chased down the Detroit Lions. The Saints finished with 410 yards through the air, and Olave nearly had half of them.
He went on to have 10 catches for 182 yards, and although he didn't find the end zone, he was the leading receiver in the NFL in week one.
They were supplemented by Garrett Wilson's steady six-catch, 79-yard performance for the Jets and Marvin Harrison's one amazing catch up the sideline for the Cardinals.
It was yet another impressive week by former Buckeyes pass catchers. Ohio State receivers combined for 36 catches for 510 yards and just one touchdown. It was 16 catches and nearly 300 yards more than the LSU Tigers, who slotted in at the second position.
In other areas, the Buckeyes rookies were incredible on Sunday.
Sonny Styles stole the show for the Commanders when he made what was likely the play of the day when he sacked Jalen Hurts. He blitzed through the offensive line and ran straight through Saquon Barkley en route to taking down Hurts.
He followed that up with two tackles for loss and was flying around the football field. He was special in week one, and it showed.
His former safety, Caleb Downs, had himself one heck of a performance on Sunday Night Football against the New York Giants. Downs' welcome-to-the-NFL moment was a blitz off the left side of the formation, and he was unblocked on his way to Jaxson Dart. He crushed Dart to register the first sack of his career.
The highlights of week one were impressive for all of the former Buckeyes and they showed why yet again, they are referred to as NFL University.
