In evaluating this years NFL prospects it
is clear that Ohio State has many coveted
prospects. Many have pointed to USC, but it
looks that Ohio State will surpass USC
in this draft. The Buckeyes have the
potential to reach double digits in players
selected for the 2006 NFL Draft.
Three of the players are early entries.
The early entries include cornerback Ashton
Yoboughty, safety Donte Whitner and wide
receiver Santonio Holmes. The other likely
drafted prospects include linebacker Anthony
Schlegel, linebacker A.J. Hawk, linebacker
Bobby Carpenter, center Nick Mangold, guard
Rob Sims and safety Nate Salley. Nine
prospects who have a strong likelihood of
being drafted. This does not even include
defensive tackle Marcus Green and safety
Tyler Everett who will also have draft
consideration. Potentially Ohio State could
have eleven players being selected in the
2006 NFL Draft.
Of the prospects at Ohio State four will
certainly garner first round attention. A.J.
Hawk a two time consensus All-American
choice is likely to be the first player
selected and many draft pundits see Hawk
being selected within the first ten picks of
the draft. Hawk has earned the respect of
pro evaluators in steady production, having
recorded over 100 tackles in each of the
last two seasons and showing a knack for
making big plays behind the line of
scrimmage. Santonio Holmes, the junior wide
receiver is likely to be drafted next.
Holmes has consistently shown the ability to
separate from defenders and make the sure
catch. Holmes will likely be drafted in the
first 20 picks of the first round. Next,
likely will be Ashton Youboughty at
cornerback who will likely go in the same
area of the first round as Santonio Holmes.
Yoboughty, a rangy and physical defender has
had his stock steadily climb after
impressive performances against Michigan and
Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl. Closing out
the first round, a likely pick would be
outside linebacker Bobby Carpenter.
Carpenter, much like Yoboughty has had his
stock climb with a solid senior season and
steady imporvement in his pass rushing
abilities. Teams employing a 3-4 defense
have shown an interest in Carpenter who is
likely to be an outside linebacker in a 3-4
scheme at the pro level.
Beyond the first round, several other
Buckeyes will also garner first day
attention. Donte Whitner and Nate Salley,
who both played safety will likely be second
to third round picks. Whitner, likely will
be drafted in the second round after an
impressive junior campaign while Salley will
most likely draw third round attention. Nick
Mangold, the cog of the Ohio State line has
a shot also at going in the third round. The
likely scenario is that six Ohio State
players will be drafted on the first day,
with a possibility of seven should Mangold
be selected at the end of the third
round. The possibility of seven players on
the first day of the draft is amazing. Most
of the top programs at Division I schools
will not have this many players selected on
the first day of the draft in two years, let
alone one year!
In the second day of the draft look for
linebacker Anthony Schlegel to go between
the fifth and sixth rounds. Tyler Everett,
Rob Sims and Marcus Green all likely will be
selected in the seventh rounds of the draft.
If not drafted all will likely be signed as
free agents. If all of the players noted are
selected, that would be eleven prospects
drafted. This would be a record for the
number of players drafted from one school in
a given year, and it could very well happen.
Certainly, the early departure of Holmes,
Yoboughty and Whitner have played a role. It
will be interesting to see how Ohio State
recovers with such a mass exodus of talent.
Look for NFL scouts to flock to Columbus
following the NFL season. It will make for
an interesting year in the 2006 NFL draft
and I know we all will be keeping a count.
