With a long list of early entry underclassmen, plus a strong group of exiting seniors led by Braxton Miller, there is no doubt Ohio State will have a serious impact on the 2016 NFL Draft.
How serious?
"They could have seven or eight guys in the first 50 picks," NFL Media draft expert Mike Mayock said during the NFL Network broadcast of the Reese's Senior Bowl on Saturday.
Mayock didn't name the Buckeyes prospects to which he was referring, but most or all aren't difficult to identify. Defensive end Joey Bosa is regarded as one of the elite prospects in the draft and has been projected as a top-10 pick. Running back Ezekiel Elliott could be the first player chosen at his position.
Along with Bosa and Elliott, NFL Media analyst Daniel Jeremiah has six other Buckeyes in his ranking of the draft's top 50 players: CB Eli Apple, LB Darron Lee, OT Taylor Decker, WR Michael Thomas, Miller and LB Josh Perry.
That makes eight, and Ohio State figures to have some other names called, as well. Defensive tackle Adolphus Washington, DB Tyvis Powell, QB Cardale Jones, TE Nick Vannett, WR Jalin Marshall and DB Vonn Bell could take a life-changing call during the draft. Washington, Powell and Vannett participated in the Senior Bowl along with Miller.
Mayock said he believes Washington is among 10 defensive tackles who will receive a first-round draft grade from at least one NFL club.
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