Four Buckeyes Selected in First Round of NFL Draft
4/25/2025 7:19:00 AM | Football
10th consecutive year with a first-round pick; record total of first-rounders increases to 95
NFL DRAFT CENTRAL
COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio State football program's record of first-round NFL Draft picks increased to 95 this evening when four more Buckeyes – WR Emeka Egbuka, OL Donovan Jackson, DT Tyleik Williams and LT Josh Simmons – were selected in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, which is being held outside of Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisc.
The four drafted Buckeyes give Ohio State multiple first-round draft picks in eight of the last 10 drafts (2016-17-18-19-20-22-23-25). Ohio State has produced multiple first-round picks 25 times in all.
Ohio State led the way with its four first-rounders with Georgia and Michigan next with three first-round picks apiece while Penn State, Oregon, Alabama and Texas each had two first-round picks. The Southeastern Conference led with 15 total draft picks with the Big Ten second with 11.
The Buckeyes have had a first-round draft pick for 10 consecutive years, second only to Alabama's streak of 17.
WR Emeka Egbuka – 1st Round, No. 19 Overall / Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Egbuka, from Steilacoom, Wash., was chosen with the 19th overall pick by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The all-time record holder at Ohio State with 205 receptions, and who is second with 2,868 receiving yards, is the fifth Buckeye wide receiver to be drafted in the first round in the last four drafts. The others, all of whom were recruited and coached by Brian Hartline, are Garrett Wilson (2022; New York Jets), Chris Olave (2022, New Orleans Saints), Jaxon Smith Njigba (2023; Seattle Seahawks) and Marvin Harrison Jr. (2024; Arizona Cardinals).
OL Donovan Jackson – 1st Round, No. 24 Overall / Minnesota Vikings
- Jackson, the ninth offensive lineman from Ohio State selected in the NFL Draft this decade (since 2020), is from Cypress, Texas. He was selected in the first round by the Minnesota Vikings with the 24th overall pick. He was a 2024 first-team All-American and Academic All-American who played in 55 games and started 40 times, including nine times at LT in 2024. He was a three-time first-team all-Big Ten Conference honoree.
DT Tyleik Williams – 1st Round, No. 28 Overall / Detroit Lions
- Williams, from Manassas, Va., was selected No. 28 overall in the first round by the Detroit Lions. Williams anchored the national champions' No. 1 in the nation total defense and scoring defense in 2024. He is the first Buckeye defensive tackle to be selected in the first round since the late, great Will Smith was in 2004 by the New Orleans Saints. He is also the 17th Ohio State defensive lineman coached by Larry Johnson to be drafted in the last 11 drafts.
OT Josh Simmons – 1st Round, No. 32 Overall / Kansas City Chiefs
- Simmons, who is from San Diego and transferred to Ohio State in January 2023, joins offensive linemate Jackson in the first round – a 50-year first for two first-round offensive linemen – as he was selected with the 32nd pick by the Kansas City Chiefs. He played in and started all 19 games at Ohio State before an injury in the sixth game of the 2024 season ended his collegiate career. He joins a contingent of Buckeye offensive tackles who've been selected in the first round that includes Jim Lachey (1985, San Diego Chargers), Orlando Pace (1997, St. Louis Rams), Taylor Decker (2016, Detroit Lions) and Paris Johnson Jr. (2023, Arizona Cardinals).
Most First-Round NFL Draft Picks
§ 95 – Ohio State
§ 86 – USC
§ 84 – Alabama
§ 71 – Notre Dame
§ 68 – Miami
Consecutive Seasons with a First-Round Pick
§ 17 – Alabama
§ 10 – Ohio State
§ 8 – Georgia
§ 7 – Michigan
§ 5 – Oregon
Additional biographical information on the Buckeyes can be found here: Ohio State NFL Draft Central
The 2025 NFL Draft continues Friday evening at 7 p.m. with the second and third rounds.
