At last count, seven collegiate pro days are scheduled for NFL teams to attend March 25, with each expecting to attract its share of attendees and spotlight.
And then, there's Ohio State.
Ohio State's Pro Day will feature the highest concentration of possible first-round NFL Draft talent of any pro day this spring and, as such, is expected to draw commensurate attention.
Five Buckeyes — linebacker Sonny Styles, edge Arvell Reese, receiver Carnell Tate, safety Caleb Downs and defensive tackle Kayden McDonald – will headline the day. Even though some performed on-field work and participated in interviews at the NFL Combine in February, Wednesday will provide NFL teams another information-gathering opportunity with the quintet and other Ohio State players participating in pro day.
Styles posted freakish numbers — 4.46-second 40, 43.5-inch vertical jump — at the Combine. At 6 foot 5, 244 pounds, he exclusively played middle linebacker in college but has been eager to display his versatility for NFL teams.
"The great defenses you look at, there's at least two or three guys who can play a multitude of roles," Styles said at the Combine. "Like for example, this year for the Seahawks, (safety) Nick Emmanwori was a versatile player, and when you have guys like that on your defense, you're able to do a lot of different things as a coordinator."
Last season Styles totaled 83 tackles (46 solo), a sack, a forced fumble, an interception and three passes defensed.
Reese (6 foot 4, 241 pounds) also played linebacker with the Buckeyes and matched Styles' speed (4.46 seconds in the 40) at the Combine; he did not participate in position drills. The 20-year-old projects as an edge in the NFL after finishing with 6.5 sacks, two passes defensed and 69 tackles (34 solo) last season.
"Teams have pretty much been asking me what I want to do and see where my mind was at," Reese said at the Combine. "I've been telling them I think I'm an outside linebacker/edge. I haven't even scratched the surface with really what I can do pass rushing."
Like Styles and Reese, Tate projects as a possible top 10 pick. He's in line to be the sixth Ohio State receiver since 2022 to be drafted in the first round – New Orleans Saints receiver Chris Olave, the No. 11 overall pick in '22, is at the beginning of the timeline – and Tate will be expected to make an immediate impact with an NFL team. He caught 51 passes for 875 yards and five touchdowns last year and totaled 121 catches for 1,872 yards and 14 touchdowns in 39 games as a Buckeye.
"I think they may be out there looking for another offensive weapon to pair up with Chris and also to help (quarterback) Tyler (Shough) in his career," Tate said of the Saints at the Combine. "So that would be a great opportunity to go out there and help the Saints win."
Downs (6 feet, 206 pounds), a top safety prospect who did not test at the Combine, had two interceptions, five tackles for loss, a sack, two passes defensed and 68 tackles last season.
McDonald (6 foot 2, 326 pounds), who also didn't test in Indianapolis, had three sacks, nine tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery and 65 tackles last year.
