ESPN ranks four Ohio State football players among top 5 of 2026 NFL draft position group

USA Today

5 days ago

The 2026 NFL draft still feels like light years away. Heck, we haven't even started fall training camp for the 2025 college football season yet. However, there are those out there who live, breathe, and eat NFL draft news, so it's a year-round consumption for some. And, yes -- there are those that cover the draft all year long, so there seems to always be something to look at.
At a place like Ohio State, having players go (usually high) in the draft is the norm rather than the exception, and that figures to be the case again in 2026, though seeing a whopping 14 players won't happen like it did last April. Still, there are some NFL draft hopefuls wearing the Scarlet and Gray that figure to be some of the best at their position groups, and ESPN's Matt Miller and Jordan Reid took turns trying to identify them -- as we sit here in late June -- about ten months from the annual spectacle taking place in Pittsburgh.
Here's a look at the four players the ESPN duo believes could be in the top five at their position, and what they say about each. Remember, it's still very early in this process, and how each performs during the coming campaign, where things go with injuries, and off-the-field things will all play into how this all changes.
Wide Receiver, Carnell Tate
Where Miller has Tate: No. 5
Where Reid has Tate: No. 4
Ohio State has had four straight NFL drafts where a receiver has been taken in the first round. Tate has the skill and work ethic to make it five-straight years, but to do it, he'll have to get enough targets and show big play ability despite playing second-fiddle to all-everything Jeremiah Smith.
Max Klare, Tight End
Where Miller has Tate: No. 4
Where Reid has Tate: No. 3
Klare is going to add another dimension to the passing game this year. The traditional receivers on the outside are already the best in college football. What will teams do with Klare singled up on a linebacker or safety as an outlet valve or underneath option? Ohio State is getting a known commodity here, and there's a good chance he rises to the top tight end in the country once inserted into the offense in Columbus.
Sonny Styles, Linebacker
Where Miller has Tate: Not Ranked
Where Reid has Tate: No. 5
While it's great to see Styles at least ranked in the top five by Reid, it's quite possible folks are overlooking Styles. He's an athletic freak who's still figuring out the linebacker position and started to really show his playmaking ability last season. He can cover in space, is fast, diagnoses plays well, yet can come up and hit like a hammer. Look for a major breakout year from him and a rise up the draft boards.
Caleb Downs, Safety
Where Miller has Tate: No. 1
Where Reid has Tate: No. 1
No surprise here. Downs is widely known as the best safety in college football and could very well be the best defender -- even perhaps overall player -- in the game. He has unbelievable athleticism and instincts and is a true leader on and off the field. He's versatile and determined to be great. Someone is going to be happy to take him off the board in the first round next year.
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