This week is all about making predictions that may or may not be reasonable, in fact, some might say they are bold. You can catch up on all of theTheme Week content hereand all of our”Bold Predictions” articles here.
Ohio State has been developing NFL talent for longer than most of us have been alive. Over the past decade, the Buckeyes have kicked their pipeline to the NFL into overdrive.
Since 2016, Ohio State has seen six players earn AP Rookie of the Year honors in their first season in the NFL. Joey Bosa was the first of three consecutive Buckeyes to earn Rookie of the Year honors after an outstanding first season in the NFL with the Chargers in 2016. Marshon Lattimore followed Bosa by winning the award in 2017, then Nick Bosa burst onto the scene with the San Francisco 49ers in 2018.
Following a 2019 where an Ohio State player failed to be honored as the best rookie in the NFL, Chase Young was a force for Washington in 2020, earning him the honor as the league’s best defensive rookie. Then in 2022 the Buckeye offensive players started to assert their dominance in the NFL, as Garrett Wilson was named the top offensive rookie, followed by Houston Texans quarterback in 2023.
Going into last season, Marvin Harrison Jr. was looked at as a threat to win the award after being selected fourth overall by the Arizona Cardinals, but Harrison wasn’t able to keep pace with the phenomenal season put together by Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels.
With the recent track record of impactful rookie seasons from Ohio State alums in the NFL, along with the amount of quality talent selected in this year’s draft, and those Buckeyes that teams in the league are already salivating to draft in the next two years, it’s not going to be surprising to see Ohio State players be named Rookie of the Year over the next three seasons.
The run Buckeye rookies have been on in their first season in the NFL is unprecedented, and it is hard to imagine it ever being matched again.
2025: Emeka Egbuka, Quinshon Judkins, or TreVeyon Henderson
I probably don’t seem so bold since I’m not calling my shot and picking just one former Buckeye to win the ultimate rookie honor this coming season. All three of these picks landed in great spots, so I easily could see any of them adding to Ohio State’s Rookie of the Year dominance.
If I had to choose just one, I’d likely go with TreVeyon Henderson to win since I could see him and Drake Maye becoming a scary duo for New England. I know as a Buffalo Bills fan that I’m nervous about the Bills having to try and slow down Henderson at least twice a year, especially since I have seen how the running back shines brightest in the biggest games.
Egbuka and Judkins are also in excellent situations to make an immediate impact. Egbuka joins a Tampa Bay offense that already has Mike Evans, as well as Chris Godwin returning from injury. The only reason I would go with Henderson over Egbuka is because I think Henderson will see more volume when it comes to touches.
With so many receiving options in Tampa, Egbuka will likely be a boom or bust candidate each week, where Henderson’s performances should be more consistent.
Judkins also should see plenty of action in his first season in the NFL, I’m just not convinced that he’ll create as much noise as Henderson since he’ll be playing for Cleveland, who is shaping up to be one of the worst teams in the NFL this season. The upside for Judkins is he should see plenty of carries, they just won’t mean as much as what Henderson will see since the Patriots should be able to fight for a playoff spot with what they have done with their roster over the last two seasons, along with hiring for Buckeye Mike Vrabel as head coach.
2026: Caleb Downs
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you already know that Caleb Downs is one of the most dynamic defensive players in college football. After recording over 100 tackles as a freshman for Alabama, Downs transferred to Ohio State after Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban retired. On a defense loaded with upperclassmen, the sophomore safety got better as the year progressed as he became more comfortable in Jim Knowles’ defense.
Now with a lot of his teammates from last year gone, Downs will take on more of a leadership role this season. New defensive coordinator Matt Patricia has spent the offseason so far thinking of creative ways to utilize Downs this season. Here at LGHL, a few of us are predicting that Downs makes such a big impact on games this year that he will be in the race to win the Heisman Trophy. Downs has so much potential that nobody has called us crazy.
Rose Bowl Game Presented by Prudential - Ohio State V Oregon Photo by Ric Tapia/Getty Images
Unfortunately for Ohio State fans, this will likely be the final season we see Downs in the scarlet and gray. The safety is already projected as a top 10 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, so there is no reason for him to stick around for his senior season since has already won a national title. It will be hard to blame Downs for striking while the iron is hot.
If teams could have drafted Downs in April’s NFL Draft, he would have been one of the first defensive players taken and would have been a serious candidate to win Defensive Rookie of the Year this season.
2027: Jeremiah Smith
Speaking of players who could be named Rookie of the Year this year if they were eligible for the NFL Draft, Jeremiah Smith is that dude. Even as a freshman, Smith looked like he was already more than ready for the NFL. Talents like Smith don’t come along that often, so Buckeye Nation needs to enjoy Smith while he is in Columbus.
For as good as Marvin Harrison Jr., Chris Olave, Garrett Wilson, and other recent receivers for Ohio State were, Smith has the talent to blow all of them out of the water and rewrite the school’s receiving record book.
2025 CFP National Championship Presented by AT&T- Ohio State v Notre Dame Photo by Michael Miller/ISI Photos/Getty Images
When you look at some of the receivers who have been named Rookie of the Year over the last 20 years, there is no reason to think Smith can’t be just as good as the likes of Odell Beckham Jr., Percy Harvin, and Keenan Allen. Had Smith been eligible to be drafted this year, it’s hard to imagine him not being the top pick of the draft, especially since the Tennessee Titans don’t have much at wide receiver.
Then again, Smith is probably lucky he wasn’t drafted by the Titans, since he would have been stuck with a terrible quarterback.
Until he is eligible to declare for the draft, hopefully Smith continues to put up huge numbers and we can bask in his glory as he helps lead the Buckeyes to another national title or two!