Eight Buckeyes invited to NFL Scouting Combine
COLUMBUS — A majority of NFL Draft-eligible Ohio State stars declined the invite to the NFL Scouting Combine early — by returning to the Buckeyes for another shot at a national title.
“These are all really high end players who decided they wanted to come back,” Ohio State coach Ryan Day said last week. “It wasn’t for anything other than their teammates, their coaches, the culture. And that kind of set the tone for all of it.”
But even with all the talent returning to Ohio State for another season, the Buckeyes are still sending eight players to the NFL Scouting Combine.
On the offensive side of the ball, superstar wide receiver, Biletnikoff Award winner, two-time unanimous All-American and projected top-five draft pick Marvin Harrison Jr. will headline the entire combine. But he’s not the only offensive star heading to Indy in a couple of weeks.
Buckeyes starting right guard Matthew Jones will be a participant. He started multiple seasons on the offensive line and was consistently an underrated star. So will two-time captain and tight end Cade Stover, who caught 77 passes for 982 yards and 10 touchdowns across the last two seasons as the full-time starting tight end. Stover is consistently a top-100 draft selection in mock drafts, and some experts even have him as the second-best tight end in the draft.
Former Buckeyes tailback Miyan Williams, who missed most of the 2023 season with injuries, will also be at the combine. He is coming off a surgery that forced him out of the final half of the year, but he is recovering well and could participate in on-field drills.
On the defensive side of the ball, junior defensive tackle Mike Hall will make the trip to Indianapolis for the combine after three good seasons at Ohio State. Following a great week at the Senior Bowl, Hall is projected to be off the board in the top three rounds. A strong combine could further strengthen his draft stock.
Three-year starting linebackers Tommy Eichenberg, who won the Big Ten Linebacker of the Year Award and was an All-Big Ten selection as well as a two-time Buckeyes captain, and Steele Chambers both received invites to the combine. They each have a chance to boost their standing in draft circles with a strong week at the combine.
And of course, sixth-year safety Josh Proctor received an invite after a breakout final season with the Buckeyes. He overcame hardship and various injuries throughout his career to finally earn a major role in the Ohio State defense last season — and he thrived.
The NFL Combine will take place in Indianapolis from February 26 to March 4. Lettermen Row will be on site for full coverage of NFL-bound Buckeyes.
