Pro Bucks: 58 Buckeyes Make NFL 53-Man Roster
9/1/2026 9:45:00 AM | Football
Ohio State has players on nearly every NFL roster and the 58 Buckeyes on active 53-man rosters are the most of any school in the country.
COLUMBUS, OH – The 2026 NFL season begins on Wednesday, Sept. 9, allowing Buckeyes in the league to continue thriving on the gridiron. Â
With 58 Buckeyes in the league across 27 NFL 53-man rosters, the season will kick off with rematch of last season's Super Bowl, including Buckeyes Jaxon Smith-Njigba (Seattle Seahawks) and TreVeyon Henderson (New England Patriots). The 58 players on 53-man rosters is an increase from last season when the Buckeyes landed 57 on opening day rosters. In addition to the 58 Bucks on active rosters, Trey Sermon will also start the season on IR.Â
JSN's Hunt for Hardware ContinuesÂ
After going the distance, Smith-Njigba was awarded the NFL's Offensive Player of the Year and ended his 2025 season as a Super Bowl champion. Â
In his third season with the Seattle Seahawks, Smith-Njigba established himself among the league's premier receivers and will likely rank within the top five on the NFL's Top 100 Players of 2026 list.Â
Last season, Smith-Njigba graded out with a 93.1 overall score according to Pro Football Focus, finishing second among all receivers in the league. Smith-Njigba has been praised throughout the league for his unique route running ability. Â
Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald said, "He's almost like the (Marvel's) Silver Surfer. He's speed skating out there. On the stem, he can break in all different directions. He can run anything from anywhere."Â
Overall, Smith-Njigba finished the 2025 NFL season as the league's leader in receiving yards, finishing the season with 1,793 receiving yards, 119 receptions and 10 touchdowns during the regular season. Smith-Njigba scored within the 100th percentile on ESPN's Open Score/Rate, creating space from defenders on 86 percent of snaps during the 2025 season.Â
Additionally, this offseason Smith-Njigba inked a record-breaking four-year, $168.6 million contract extension which included $120 million guaranteed.Â
Heyward Still Setting the StandardÂ
Entering his 16th year with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Cameron Heyward continues to play at an elite level. Heyward graded out with a 90.4 overall grade, finishing first among 134 qualifying interior defensive linemen according to Pro Football Focus in 2025.Â
Heyward earned second-team AP All-Pro honors, recording the sixth AP All-Pro honors selection for his career. During the regular season, Heyward recorded 78 total tackles, 3.5 sacks and a forced fumble. His seven Pro Bowl honors mark are tied for the sixth most by Buckeyes and the most of any active Ohio State player:Â
Most Pro Bowl Selections by Ohio State PlayersÂ
*Active in the NFLÂ
Following the 2023 season, Heyward was awarded the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year, recognizing his community outreach through The Heyward House and the impact he's had on the city of Pittsburgh. Â
The Buckeye connection continues in the league, as Cameron Heyward and 2024 national champion Jack Sawyer differ in era, but connect by the Buckeye brotherhood.Â
The Next GenerationÂ
While veteran Buckeyes continue to leave their mark in the league, the next generation of Buckeyes are set to begin their journeys.Â
Eleven Buckeyes were selected in the 2026 NFL Draft, leading all schools in the country. With the fourth pick in the NFL Draft, Carnell Tate was selected by the Tennessee Titans, marking the sixth-straight Ohio State wide receiver to be drafted in the first round.Â
Three Silver Bullets were selected in the first round, including Ohio State's dynamic linebacker duo with Arvell Reese at No. 5 and Sonny Styles at No. 7, followed by standout safety Caleb Downs at No. 11.Â
Throughout the draft, seven more Buckeyes heard their names called over the following six rounds. Over the last two draft classes 25 Ohio State players have been selected, the most of any school in the country. All 25 and additional undrafted free agents from those two years made the season opening 53-man rosters.Â
#ProBucks Week One Slate (All times Eastern)Â
Wednesday, Sept. 9Â
With 58 Buckeyes in the league across 27 NFL 53-man rosters, the season will kick off with rematch of last season's Super Bowl, including Buckeyes Jaxon Smith-Njigba (Seattle Seahawks) and TreVeyon Henderson (New England Patriots). The 58 players on 53-man rosters is an increase from last season when the Buckeyes landed 57 on opening day rosters. In addition to the 58 Bucks on active rosters, Trey Sermon will also start the season on IR.Â
JSN's Hunt for Hardware ContinuesÂ
After going the distance, Smith-Njigba was awarded the NFL's Offensive Player of the Year and ended his 2025 season as a Super Bowl champion. Â
In his third season with the Seattle Seahawks, Smith-Njigba established himself among the league's premier receivers and will likely rank within the top five on the NFL's Top 100 Players of 2026 list.Â
Last season, Smith-Njigba graded out with a 93.1 overall score according to Pro Football Focus, finishing second among all receivers in the league. Smith-Njigba has been praised throughout the league for his unique route running ability. Â
Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald said, "He's almost like the (Marvel's) Silver Surfer. He's speed skating out there. On the stem, he can break in all different directions. He can run anything from anywhere."Â
Overall, Smith-Njigba finished the 2025 NFL season as the league's leader in receiving yards, finishing the season with 1,793 receiving yards, 119 receptions and 10 touchdowns during the regular season. Smith-Njigba scored within the 100th percentile on ESPN's Open Score/Rate, creating space from defenders on 86 percent of snaps during the 2025 season.Â
Additionally, this offseason Smith-Njigba inked a record-breaking four-year, $168.6 million contract extension which included $120 million guaranteed.Â
Heyward Still Setting the StandardÂ
Entering his 16th year with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Cameron Heyward continues to play at an elite level. Heyward graded out with a 90.4 overall grade, finishing first among 134 qualifying interior defensive linemen according to Pro Football Focus in 2025.Â
Heyward earned second-team AP All-Pro honors, recording the sixth AP All-Pro honors selection for his career. During the regular season, Heyward recorded 78 total tackles, 3.5 sacks and a forced fumble. His seven Pro Bowl honors mark are tied for the sixth most by Buckeyes and the most of any active Ohio State player:Â
Most Pro Bowl Selections by Ohio State PlayersÂ
| Rank | Player | Position | Pro Bowls |
| T1. | Lou Groza | OL/K | 9 |
| T1. | Jim Tyrer | OT | 9 |
| T3. | Cris Carter | WR | 8 |
| T3. | Jim Parker | OL | 8 |
| T3. | Paul Warfield | WR | 8 |
| T6. | Cameron Heyward* | DT | 7 |
| T6. | Randy Gradishar | LB | 7 |
| T6. | Nick Mangold | C | 7 |
Following the 2023 season, Heyward was awarded the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year, recognizing his community outreach through The Heyward House and the impact he's had on the city of Pittsburgh. Â
The Buckeye connection continues in the league, as Cameron Heyward and 2024 national champion Jack Sawyer differ in era, but connect by the Buckeye brotherhood.Â
The Next GenerationÂ
While veteran Buckeyes continue to leave their mark in the league, the next generation of Buckeyes are set to begin their journeys.Â
Eleven Buckeyes were selected in the 2026 NFL Draft, leading all schools in the country. With the fourth pick in the NFL Draft, Carnell Tate was selected by the Tennessee Titans, marking the sixth-straight Ohio State wide receiver to be drafted in the first round.Â
Three Silver Bullets were selected in the first round, including Ohio State's dynamic linebacker duo with Arvell Reese at No. 5 and Sonny Styles at No. 7, followed by standout safety Caleb Downs at No. 11.Â
Throughout the draft, seven more Buckeyes heard their names called over the following six rounds. Over the last two draft classes 25 Ohio State players have been selected, the most of any school in the country. All 25 and additional undrafted free agents from those two years made the season opening 53-man rosters.Â
#ProBucks Week One Slate (All times Eastern)Â
Wednesday, Sept. 9Â
- TreVeyon Henderson (NE)Â Â
- New England Patriots at Seattle Seahawks (Wednesday, 8:20 p.m., NBC)Â Â
- Dre'Mont Jones (NE) Â
- New England Patriots at Seattle Seahawks (Wednesday, 8:20 p.m., NBC)Â Â
- Jaxon Smith-Njigba (SEA) Â
- New England Patriots at Seattle Seahawks (Wednesday, 8:20 p.m., NBC)Â Â
- Nick Bosa (SF)Â Â
- San Francisco 49ers at Los Angeles Rams (Thursday, 8:35 p.m., Netflix)Â Â
- Luke Farrell (SF)Â Â
- San Francisco 49ers at Los Angeles Rams (Thursday, 8:35 p.m., Netflix)Â Â
- Ty Hamilton (LAR)Â Â
- San Francisco 49ers at Los Angeles Rams (Thursday, 8:35 p.m., Netflix)Â Â
- Max Klare (LAR)Â Â
- San Francisco 49ers at Los Angeles Rams (Thursday, 8:35 p.m., Netflix)Â Â
- Jonah Jackson (CHI)Â Â
- Chicago Bears at Carolina Panthers (Sunday, 1 p.m., FOX)Â Â
- Lathan Ransom (CAR)Â Â
- Chicago Bears at Carolina Panthers (Sunday, 1 p.m., FOX)Â Â
- Emeka Egbuka (TB) Â
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Cincinnati Bengals (Sunday, 1 p.m., FOX)Â Â
- Chris Olave (NO)Â Â
- New Orleans Saints at Detroit Lions (Sunday, 1 p.m., FOX)Â Â
- Lorenzo Styles Jr. (NO)Â Â
- New Orleans Saints at Detroit Lions (Sunday, 1 p.m., FOX)Â Â
- Pete Werner (NO)Â Â
- New Orleans Saints at Detroit Lions (Sunday, 1 p.m., FOX)Â Â
- Chase Young (NO)Â Â
- New Orleans Saints at Detroit Lions (Sunday, 1 p.m., FOX)Â Â
- Seth McLaughlin (DET)Â Â
- New Orleans Saints at Detroit Lions (Sunday, 1 p.m., FOX)Â Â
- Tyleik Williams (DET)Â Â
- New Orleans Saints at Detroit Lions (Sunday, 1 p.m., FOX)Â Â
- Davison Igbinosun (BUF)Â Â
- Buffalo Bills at Houston Texans (Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS)Â Â
- Kayden McDonald (NE)Â
- Buffalo Bills at Houston Texans (Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS)Â
- Cade Stover (HOU)Â Â
- Buffalo Bills at Houston Texans (Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS)Â Â
- Tommy Togiai (HOU)Â Â
- Buffalo Bills at Houston Texans (Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS)Â Â
- C.J. Stroud (HOU)Â Â
- Buffalo Bills at Houston Texans (Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS)Â Â
- Caden Curry (IND)Â Â
- Baltimore Ravens at Indianapolis Colts (Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS)Â Â
- JT Tuimoloau (IND) Â
- Baltimore Ravens at Indianapolis Colts (Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS)Â Â
- Mike Hall Jr. (CLE)Â Â
- Cleveland Browns at Jacksonville Jaguars (Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS)Â Â
- Ronnie Hickman (CLE)Â Â
- Cleveland Browns at Jacksonville Jaguars (Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS)Â Â
- Dawand Jones (CLE)Â Â
- Cleveland Browns at Jacksonville Jaguars (Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS)Â Â
- Quinshon Judkins (CLE)Â Â
- Cleveland Browns at Jacksonville Jaguars (Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS)Â Â
- Denzel Ward (CLE)Â Â
- Cleveland Browns at Jacksonville Jaguars (Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS)Â Â
- Luke Wypler (CLE)Â Â
- Cleveland Browns at Jacksonville Jaguars (Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS)Â Â
- DaVon Hamilton (JAX) Â
- Cleveland Browns at Jacksonville Jaguars (Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS)Â Â
- Liam McCullough (ATL)Â Â
- Atlanta Falcons at Pittsburgh Steelers (Sunday, 1 p.m., FOX)Â Â
- Ethan Onianwa (ATL) Â
- Atlanta Falcons at Pittsburgh Steelers (Sunday, 1 p.m., FOX)Â Â
- Trey Sermon (ATL – IR)Â
- Atlanta Falcons at Pittsburgh Steelers (Sunday, 1 p.m., FOX)Â Â
- Cameron Heyward (PIT)Â Â
- Atlanta Falcons at Pittsburgh Steelers (Sunday, 1 p.m., FOX)Â Â
- Will Howard (PIT)Â Â
- Atlanta Falcons at Pittsburgh Steelers (Sunday, 1 p.m., FOX)Â Â
- Cameron Johnston (PIT)Â Â
- Atlanta Falcons at Pittsburgh Steelers (Sunday, 1 p.m., FOX)Â Â
- Jack Sawyer (PIT)Â Â
- Atlanta Falcons at Pittsburgh Steelers (Sunday, 1 p.m., FOX)Â Â
- Josh Myers (NYJ)Â Â
- New York Jets at Tennessee Titans (Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS)Â Â
- Jeremy Ruckert (NYJ)Â Â
- New York Jets at Tennessee Titans (Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS)Â Â
- Garrett Wilson (NYJ)Â Â
- New York Jets at Tennessee Titans (Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS)Â Â
- Carnell Tate (TEN)Â Â
- New York Jets at Tennessee Titans (Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS)Â Â
- Baron Browning (ARI)Â Â
- Arizona Cardinals at Los Angeles Chargers (Sunday, 4:25 p.m., CBS)Â Â
- Denzel Burke (ARI)Â Â
- Arizona Cardinals at Los Angeles Chargers (Sunday, 4:25 p.m., CBS)Â Â
- Josh Fryar (ARI)Â Â
- Arizona Cardinals at Los Angeles Chargers (Sunday, 4:25 p.m., CBS)Â Â
- Marvin Harrison Jr. (ARI) Â
- Arizona Cardinals at Los Angeles Chargers (Sunday, 4:25 p.m., CBS)Â Â
- Paris Johnson Jr. (ARI)Â Â
- Arizona Cardinals at Los Angeles Chargers (Sunday, 4:25 p.m., CBS)Â Â
- Cody Simon (ARI)Â Â
- Arizona Cardinals at Los Angeles Chargers (Sunday, 4:25 p.m., CBS)Â Â
- Will Kacmarek (MIA) Â
- Miami Dolphins at Las Vegas Raiders (Sunday, 4:25 p.m., FOX)Â Â
- Tommy Eichenberg (LV)Â Â
- Miami Dolphins at Las Vegas Raiders (Sunday, 4:25 p.m., FOX)Â Â
- Donovan Jackson (MIN)Â Â
- Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings (Sunday, 4:25 p.m., CBS)Â Â
- Terry McLaurin (WAS)Â Â
- Washington Commanders at Philadelphia Eagles (Sunday, 4:25 p.m., FOX)Â Â
- Sonny Styles (WAS)Â Â
- Washington Commanders at Philadelphia Eagles (Sunday, 4:25 p.m., FOX)Â Â
- Caleb Downs (DAL)Â Â
- Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants (Sunday, 8:20 p.m., NBC)Â Â
- Malik Hooker (DAL)Â Â
- Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants (Sunday, 8:20 p.m., NBC)Â Â
- Arvell Reese (NYG)Â Â
- Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants (Sunday, 8:20 p.m., NBC)Â Â
- J.K. Dobbins (DEN)Â Â
- Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs (Monday, 8:15 p.m., ESPN)Â Â
- Justin Fields (KC)Â Â
- Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs (Monday, 8:15 p.m., ESPN)Â Â Â
- Josh Simmons (KC)Â Â
- Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs (Monday, 8:15 p.m., ESPN)Â
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