11W dropped an article this morning discussing how the 2017 Draft Class could be the 2nd best Ohio State class in the last decade (outside the 2016 class). This got me thinking about the 2018 Class - See 11W 2018 Draft Class piece
Seniors: Jamarco Jones, Billy Price, Marcus Baugh, J.T. Barrett, Jalyn Holmes, Tyquan Lewis, Michael Hill, Tracy Sprinkle, Dante Booker, Chris Worley, Erick Smith, Damon Webb
Juniors (who could declare, pending a breakout year): Demetrius Knox, Isaiah Prince, Parris Campbell, Terry McLaurin, Johnnie Dixon, Sam Hubbard, Jerome Baker, Denzel Ward, Sean Nuernberger
RS Sophomores (who could declare, pending a breakout year): Damon Arnette, Dre'Mont Jones, Mike Weber, A.J. Alexander, K.J. Hill, Matthew Burrell, Joe Burrow
*Players who have not cracked the 2 deep were not listed
Looking at the underclassmen, Ohio State has not had a OL, TE, or K declare early in a while. In addition, it is unlikely a backup QB will declare. Based on 11W staff predictions as well as my own opinions, I also have assumed McLaurin and Arnette will return.
Juniors: Demetrius Knox, Isaiah Prince, Parris Campbell, Terry McLaurin, Johnnie Dixon, Sam Hubbard, Jerome Baker, Denzel Ward, Sean Nuernberger
RS Sophomores: Damon Arnette, Dre'Mont Jones, Mike Weber, A.J. Alexander, K.J. Hill, Matthew Burrell, Joe Burrow
I believe one of the three receivers listed will have a breakout year. Most will agree is appears Parris Campbell is the receiver most likely to breakout. I also believe Weber will have a great year, but return for one more rodeo. I believe Dre'Mont Jones will have a great year, but will follow the suit of his predecessors and return. Assuming Campbell, Hubbard, Baker, and Ward have strong seasons and declare, we can finalize the list at:
Juniors: Parris Campbell, Johnnie Dixon, Sam Hubbard, Jerome Baker, Denzel Ward
RS Sophomores: Dre'Mont Jones, Mike Weber, K.J. Hill
Eligible NFL Prospects: Jamarco Jones, Billy Price, Marcus Baugh, J.T. Barrett, Jalyn Holmes, Tyquan Lewis, Michael Hill, Tracy Sprinkle, Dante Booker, Chris Worley, Erick Smith, Damon Webb, Parris Campbell, Sam Hubbard, Jerome Baker, Denzel Ward.
Erick Smith battles for playing time, and may not secure a starting position. Michael Hill and Tracy Sprinkle could do some damage if they stay healthy.
Eligible NFL Prospects: Jamarco Jones, Billy Price, Marcus Baugh, J.T. Barrett, Jalyn Holmes, Tyquan Lewis, Michael Hill, Tracy Sprinkle, Dante Booker, Chris Worley, Erick Smith, Damon Webb, Parris Campbell, Sam Hubbard, Jerome Baker, Denzel Ward.
Draft Predictions - Updated 4/25/17 5:30pm:
First: Sam Hubbard, Jerome Baker, Denzel Ward
Second: Tyquan Lewis, Dante Booker, Parris Campbell
Third: Damon Webb, Chris Worely, Jamarco Jones
Fourth: Billy Price, Marcus Baugh
Fifth: Michael Hill
Sixth: J.T. Barrett, Jalyn Holmes
Seventh: Tracy Sprinkle
Round | Total |
---|---|
1ST | 3 |
2ND | 3 |
3RD | 3 |
4TH | 2 |
5TH | 1 |
6TH | 2 |
7TH | 1 |
TOTAL | 15 |
There are some assumptions made and nothing is guaranteed, but realistically Ohio State could potentially send 10-15 players to the NFL draft with anywhere from 1-5 players falling First Round, pending good seasons. While the 2016 class will always seem most talented to me, the 2018 class could have some great prospects as well.
UPDATES:
Matt Miller (Bleacher Report) 2018 Way-To-Early Draft Predictions
Summary:
- Jerome Baker - 17th Overall - Tennessee Titans
- Dre'mont Jones - 22nd Overall - Carolina Panthers
- Denzel Ward - 25th Overall - Cleveland Browns (From Texans)
Will Brinson (CBS Sports) 2018 Way-To-Early Mock Draft
- Tyquan Lewis - 14th Overall - New Orleans Saints
- Sam Hubbard - 21st Overall - Cincinnati Bengals
Dieter Kurtenbach (Fox Sports) 2018 NFL Mock Draft
- Sam Hubbard - 11th Overall - Detroit Lions
- Tyquan Lewis - 13th Overall - Indianapolis Colts
- Parris Campbell - 35th Overall - Los Angeles Rams
- Dante Booker - 44th Overall - Cleveland Browns (From Texans)
- Billy Price - 52nd Overall - Minnesota Vikings
Barton Simmons (247 Sports) 32 Best Prospects for the 2018 NFL Draft
- Tyquan Lewis - 17th Overall
- Denzel Ward - 26th Overall
- Sam Hubard - 28th Overall