Ohio State continues to be an NFL pipeline and factory, and there’s no end in sight. And while the transfer portal has taken up a ton of space in columns and national publications this year, moreso than perhaps years past, we still have our eyes on the Ohio State players who have early NFL draft declarations to make before the month ends.
We continue to hear from the OSU players on what their decisions are, with 12 players more or less having to walk that fine line between development, where they will go in the NFL draft, and what type of NIL opportunities might be available.
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We are keeping track of all the NFL draft declaration decisions from players like Caleb Downs, Arvell Reese, Kenyatta Jackson Jr., Kayden McDonald, Carnell Tate, and others. Here’s where things stand with NFL draft decisions, updated as news becomes available.
Ohio State players declaring early for the NFL draftCarnell Tate, Wide Receiver
Date Declared | Jan. 6
NFL draft projection | First round
Caleb Downs, Safety
Date Declared | Jan. 7
NFL draft projection | First round
Arvell Reese, Linebacker
Date Declared | Jan. 8
NFL draft projection | First round
Kayden McDonald, Defensive Tackle
Date Declared | Jan. 9
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NFL draft projection | First round
Max Klare, Tight End
Date Declared | Jan. 13
NFL draft projection | Late second to third round
Ohio State players returning despite being NFL draft eligibleBrandon Inniss, Wide Receiver
Date Decision Made | Jan. 8
NFL draft projection should he have declared | Mid to late round pick
Luke Montgomery, Left Guard
Date Decision Made | Jan. 13
NFL draft projection should he have declared | Undrafted Free Agent
Austin Siereveld, Left Tackle
Date Decision Made | Jan. 14
NFL draft projection should he have declared | Mid to late round pick
Carson Hinzman, Center
Date Decision Made | Jan. 14
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NFL draft projection should he have declared | Mid-round pick
Kenyatta Jackson Jr., Defensive End
Date Decision Made | Jan. 15
NFL draft projection should he have declared | Second to third round pick
Jermaine Mathews Jr., Cornerback
Date Decision Made | Jan. 15
NFL draft projection should he have declared | Mid-to-late round pick
Ohio State players with NFL draft declarations pendingPhillip Daniels, Right Tackle
NFL draft projection should he declare | Mid-to-late round pick
Status | The prevailing thought is that Daniels will be returning to Ohio State, but nothing is absolutely official. It would be a major shock if he did declare early for the NFL draft, and time is running out, so we’re putting him in a return likely status, and will bring you that news as soon as anything official.
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This article originally appeared on Buckeyes Wire: Ohio State football 2026 NFL draft early declaration tracker