Ad Disclosure
Ohio State leads nation in most players on active NFL rosters in Week 1
By Sydney Hunte
Published:
Ohio State was tops in the nation in former players on active rosters during Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season. Fifty-six ex-Buckeyes suited up, with Alabama (55) and Georgia (52) right behind them.
Four Ohio State players were selected in the first round of the NFL Draft. Carnell Tate, the fourth overall pick, made four catches for 38 yards for the Tennessee Titans. Fifth-overall pick Arvell Reese had five tackles for the New York Giants. Sonny Styles, who went seventh overall to the Washington Commanders, had three tackles and a sack. Caleb Downs, the No. 11 overall pick in the 2026 draft, had four tackles and a sack in his first career game with the Dallas Cowboys.
Alabama had a pair of first-round picks: Kaydn Proctor (Miami Dolphins) and Ty Simpson (Los Angeles Rams). While it will be a while before Simpson makes his debut — he’s behind former Georgia star Matthew Stafford on the depth chart — Proctor lined up as the Dolphins’ starting left guard in Week 1.
Rounding out the top five were LSU, with 44, and Notre Dame, with 40. Michigan (39), Texas (39), Penn State (37), Florida (36), and Oregon (36) rounded out the top 10.