Ohio State offensive tackle Josh Simmons selected No. 32 overall by Kansas City Chiefs

COLUMBUS — Josh Simmons went from the most penalized tackle in college football to arriving at Ohio State and earning a starting job on a national title team.

Now he’s off to the NFL, and his remarkable journey will continue in Kansas City. Simmons was selected No. 32 overall by the Kansas City Chiefs in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft on Thursday night.

Simmons was originally a three-star recruit from the state of California who chose San Diego State out of high school. But after two seasons with the Aztecs, Simmons entered the transfer portal and became the starting left tackle at Ohio State for the 2023 season — and he started every game.

He entered last season as one of the top tackles in all of college football. But Simmons went down on the field at Autzen Stadium on Oct. 12 on the final play of the first quarter in the Buckeyes 32-31 loss to Oregon. He was carted off the field, taken into the locker room and held out for the rest of the game.

Ohio State struggled to replace the production of Simmons after his injury, turning first to backup left tackle Zen Michalski and then left guard Donovan Jackson at left tackle. Michalski was injured in the next game, clearing the way for Jackson to become the full-time left tackle — and leading the Buckeyes to the national championship run, including a win over Notre Dame in the title game.

Simmons had one year of eligibility remaining, and Ohio State had some optimism that he could return to anchor the Buckeyes offensive line and solidify himself as a first-round draft choice.

Instead, he went to the NFL Draft to begin his pro football career as an intriguing draft prospect. And he became a top draft choice from the Buckeyes program anyway.

Ohio State players available in NFL Draft

QB Will Howard
RB TreVeyon Henderson
RB Quinshon Judkins
TE Gee Scott Jr.
OT Josh Fryar
OL Seth McLaughlin
DE Jack Sawyer
DE J.T. Tuimoloau
DT Tyleik Williams
DT Ty Hamilton
LB Cody Simon
SAF Lathan Ransom
CB Denzel Burke
DB Jordan Hancock