Ohio State is consistently one of the most impactful programs once the draft rolls around. Four Buckeyes ended up as top-11 picks this past April, and they’ve had at least one top-20 pick in every draft since 2015, which is the last time they did not have a player selected in the opening round. They’ve had multiple players selected in the first round in eight of the past 10 drafts. And the Buckeyes will likely have the highest-rated player for the 2027 event as well.

Jeremiah Smith, WR

The talk about the 2027 NFL Draft will center around the number of top-rated quarterbacks expected to be available in the event, yet none of the signal callers will grade anywhere close to receiver Jeremiah Smith. Coming from a program that consistently places receivers in the early reaches of the first round, with Carnell Tate being the fourth pick in April’s draft, Smith will arguably be the highest-rated player at the position to come from the school. Scouts tell me that right now, Smith’s grades are on par with Calvin Johnson, a first-ballot Hall of Famer. And why not?

Smith may not be the same physical specimen Johnson was, yet he’s a dominant, game-controlling wideout who can take it deep or decimate opponents over the middle. He’s a natural pass catcher with soft hands and a great head for the position. Smith does everything well; he uses his hands to separate from defenders, runs great routes for a bigger receiver, and catches the ball with terrific fundamentals. He’s not a 4.35-second 40 guy like Johnson, but Smith is fast enough to be a deep threat. Barring catastrophe, Smith deserves to be the first or second player selected in next April’s draft, yet he could slip with so many quarterbacks expected to be available.

Julian Sayin, QB

Smith benefited last season from the accurate throwing of Julian Sayin, a smart, poised quarterback who displays great field vision and accurately delivers passes. Sayin is always in control of the situation and possesses a great sense for what’s happening on the field. He’s not a big-framed signal caller and lacks a big arm, which are concerns. I have Sayin graded as a second-round prospect, and most scouts I’ve spoken with agree. I’m getting a J.J. McCarthy feeling about Sayin at this point; he’s a really good Saturday quarterback who is not an elite prospect for Sunday football.

Austin Siereveld, Offensive Tackle

In the past few years, the defensive line has been a strength for the Buckeyes, and the proof was found on draft weekend. This year, it will be the offensive line that leads the way, assuming the top underclassmen enter the draft, which is usually the case at Ohio State.

Austin Siereveld is a veteran blocker who has started the past two seasons at tackle but is expected to move to guard this year. He did a terrific job playing on the left side and protecting Sayin’s blind side last season, showing a lot of ability in pass protection and dominating opponents’ run blocking. Siereveld is big and blocks with terrific fundamentals. I love his upside, and the ability to handle a third spot on the offensive line will only enhance Siereveld’s draft stock.

Phillip Daniels, Offensive Lineman

Phillip Daniels did a terrific job as a full-time starter at right tackle for the first time last season. He moves incredibly well and is also fundamentally sound, showing a lot of ability as a pass protector and run blocker. Daniels is on my tackle board, yet I envision some teams projecting him to guard on Sundays.

Luke Montgomery, Guard

Guard Luke Montgomery is well-liked in the scouting community, and some I’ve spoken with grade him as a Day 2 prospect. He’s an explosive lineman who shows ability pulling across the line of scrimmage or blocking in motion. In my opinion, Montgomery must do a better job blocking with a knee bend and proper pad level, or he’ll get exploited on Sundays.

Kenyatta Jackson Jr., Defensive End

Scouts are all over the place with Kenyatta Jackson Jr., yet I firmly believe he’s a top-45 prospect who could sneak into Round 1. Jackson is an athletic pass rusher who also gets down the line of scrimmage pursuing plays from the back side or defends the run. He has excellent length, hitting the tape just under 6-foot-5, as well as a frame that could add more weight.

Keep an eye on safety Jaylen McClain, an underclassman I expect to have a breakout season with Caleb Downs and Lorenzo Styles now in the NFL. McClain has good size as well as speed and a ferocious hitting style.