NFL Photos | NFL Photography Gallery | NFL.com
Top 10 Buckeyes coached by Tressel in NFL
During Jim Tressel's tenure at Ohio State, the school produced 66 players drafted by NFL teams. Of those 66 players, 14 were first-round picks, which helped Ohio State continue its tradition of producing quality pro football players.
The Jets made Mangold the No. 29 overall selection in the 2006 NFL Draft. Since then, Mangold has blossomed into a three-time Pro Bowl choice and the best center in the NFL.
Holmes is arguably the best clutch player at his position. A first-round pick by the Steelers in 2006, he made the most dramatic Super Bowl-winning TD reception in the game's history.
Gamble is a very consistent and dependable player at an important spot. Over seven seasons with the Panthers, Gamble has 24 career interceptions, including two returned for touchdowns.
Smith was a valuable part of the Saints' run toward ultimate glory in Super Bowl XLIV, posting 13 sacks during that championship season. Overall, Smith -- a first-round pick in 2004 -- has 55 sacks in seven NFL seasons.
Bentley was regarded as one of NFL's best centers before injuries sacked his career. In a very short period of time in the NFL, Bentley -- a second-round pick by the Saints in 2002 -- earned two Pro Bowl selections over four seasons. His career came to a premature end after suffering a severe knee injury during training camp after signing as a free agent with the Browns.
A first-round pick by the Saints in 2009, Jenkins is developing into a top defensive playmaker for New Orleans. Jenkins' timely strip of the Cowboys' Roy Williams on Thanksgiving Day allowed the Saints to rally for a 30-27 win.
Laurinaitis -- a second-round pick by the Rams in 2009 -- is a rising centerpiece for an improving young defense in St. Louis. Laurinaitis had a decorated career in Columbus, earning All-American honors three times, winning two Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year awards, the Bronko Nagurski Trophy in 2006 and the Dick Butkus Award in 2007.
Whitner was the eighth overall selection in 2006. Since, he has been a good player who's had bouts of inconsistency. In his first career game, Whitner intercepted Tom Brady.
As the fifth overall pick in the 2006 draft, Hawk was supposed to be a superstar in Green Bay, but has settled in as a dependable piece of defensive coordinator Dom Capers' 3-4 base defense. Hawk had a career-high three interceptions in 2010.
Jenkins is another workmanlike-type player; not a star, but can be counted on. Jenkins was a first-round pick by the Falcons in 2004, yet hasn't produced a 1,000-yard receiving season. That lack of a game-breaking impact helped prompt the Falcons' aggressive trade in the 2011 draft to acquire Julio Jones.
