Columbus, Ohio — Recollection fails, if it even exists at all, in the effort to exhume the memory of a comparative talent pool to what Ohio State presented Wednesday at its pro day inside the Woody Hayes Athletic Center.
Four Buckeyes — safety Caleb Downs, linebacker Sonny Styles, linebacker/edge Arvell Reese and receiver Carnell Tate — are all projected to be selected in the top 10 picks of the upcoming NFL Draft.
"I don't know the history part of that, but I think this place has been producing guys that are really high level," said New Orleans Saints coach Kellen Moore, who led the contingent of team personnel in attendance. He was joined by Senior Vice President/Assistant General Manager Jeff Ireland, defensive coordinator Brandon Staley and receivers coach Keith Williams.
"What's really impressive is you get to know these players," Moore said. "They're excellent people, high character. They're really good football players and they're really prepared to go into the NFL."
None of the four ran the 40-yard dash, but all except Styles did position drills.
"Just showcasing my route-running ability," Tate said. "That's what I do best. I'm fluid in any of my routes, I'm a smooth route runner, so that's what I came to do. Play football, put the football into the field."
"At the (NFL) Combine I did linebacker (drills), today I just wanted to knock out the edge drill," Reese said. "Just make sure I did both of them because that was my role last year. Both of them."
Styles, who provided an exemplary showing at the Combine, supported his teammates from the sideline and focused on the interview process.
"I talk about my character, the kind of person I am," Styles said. "I talk about how I love football, being in the film all the time — like, a film junkie type of guy. I talk about being a guy that's going to bring the locker room together. I feel like I can have that affect. I think you let the film talk for the most part, but at times you've got to describe yourself. I talk about being versatile and being able to do a multitude of roles within a defense."
Versatility is a strength of Downs', who projects to be the highest-drafted safety since LSU's Jamal Adams was selected at No. 6 in 2017.
"I think at the end of the day, it's about affecting the game," he said. "Whoever affects the games, that's who needs to be picked the highest and I feel like I do it at the highest level."
Despite the numbers, the possibility is high (according to mock drafts) that all four will be off the draft board when New Orleans picks at No. 8 in the first round.
But the Saints have done their due diligence on them, and others.
"They're great guys," Tate said. "Every time I see Coach Williams we laugh, we joke, we have fun. He tells me he'd love to coach me if the opportunity comes. If all the cards fall right, I'll be a Saint."
