For some it was a given, for some a dream come true – 40 former Buckeyes have survived cuts and made NFL rosters.
The biggest news came out of New York and Seattle as undrafted free-agents Jalin Marshall and Tyvis Powell avoided final cuts and made their teams' initial 53-man roster.
"Whatever it's going to take me to make this 53-man roster – I don't care if they tell me, 'Tyvis, we need you to get the water for everybody.' I'm going to be the best water boy in America," Powell said earlier this preseason. After earning praise from Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll for his versatility and effort even on special teams, it seems like Powell will be doing more than handing out water.
Marshall earned his spot due in no small part to his special teams performance. In his professional debut, the former Buckeye torched the Jaguars' kickoff team for an 84-yard kickoff return.
Oh yeah...this guy is a bonafide weapon. RB vision with NFL explosiveness. Jalin Marshall everybody. #NYJ #JAXvsNYJ pic.twitter.com/IM43inh2R0
— Elite Sports NY (@EliteSportsNY) August 12, 2016
| Player | Position | Team |
|---|---|---|
| Cardale Jones | QB | Buffalo Bills |
| Adolphus Washington | DT | Buffalo Bills |
| Philly Brown | WR | Carolina Panthers |
| Kurt Coleman | S | Carolina Panthers |
| Ted Ginn Jr. | WR | Carolina Panthers |
| Andrew Norwell | OL | Carolina Panthers |
| Mike Adams | OL | Chicago Bears |
| Mike Nugent | K | Cincinnati Bengals |
| Terrelle Pryor | WR | Cleveland Browns |
| Ezekiel Elliott | RB | Dallas Cowboys |
| Rod Smith | RB | Dallas Cowboys |
| Jeff Heuerman | TE | Denver Broncos |
| Bradley Roby | CB | Denver Broncos |
| Taylor Decker | OL | Detroit Lions |
| Corey Linsley *** | OL | Green Bay Packers |
| Braxton Miller | WR | Houston Texans |
| John Simon | LB | Houston Texans |
| Jack Mewhort *** | OL | Indianapolis Colts |
| Michael Bennett *** | DT | Jacksonville Jaguars |
| Jake McQuaide | LS | Los Angeles Rams |
| Alex Boone | OL | Minnesota Vikings |
| Nate Ebner | DB | New England Patriots |
| Vonn Bell | S | New Orleans Saints |
| James Laurinaitis | LB | New Orleans Saints |
| Michael Thomas | WR | New Orleans Saints |
| Eli Apple | CB | New York Giants |
| Johnathan Hankins | DT | New York Giants |
| Darron Lee | LB | New York Jets |
| Nick Mangold | C | New York Jets |
| Jalin Marshall | WR | New York Jets |
| Devin Smith *** | WR | New York Jets |
| Malcolm Jenkins | S | Philadelphia Eagles |
| Cameron Heyward | DE | Pittsburgh Steelers |
| Ryan Shazier | LB | Pittsburgh Steelers |
| Joey Bosa | DE | San Diego Chargers |
| Joshua Perry | LB | San Diego Chargers |
| Carlos Hyde | RB | San Francisco 49ers |
| Tyvis Powell | S | Seattle Seahawks |
| Nick Vannett | TE | Seattle Seahawks |
| Evan Spencer | WR | Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
***Player listed as "Injured/Physically Unable to Perform" to start the season
Former Buckeye defensive end Noah Spence, who finished his college career at Eastern Kentucky, made the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' initial 53-man roster.
