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Ohio State will likely end two really ugly B1G droughts at this year’s NFL Draft
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If you trust NFL Draft experts like ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay, then two ugly B1G droughts are coming to an end this year, and Ohio State will be responsible for both.
By now, you’ve heard about the B1G’s first-round quarterback drought ad nauseum. It’s been over two decades since the league has produced a gunslinger who has been chosen in the first round of the NFL Draft. In 1995, Penn State’s Kerry Collins was selected No. 5 overall in the draft by the Carolina Panthers, marking the last time a conference QB was chosen with the top 32 picks.
To say the B1G has been through a dry spell is an understatement.
Dwayne Haskins is projected to end that slump this year though, being pegged as a top 10 pick in several early mock drafts. Not only is he expected to be a first-round selection, the former Buckeye could potentially be the first quarterback taken in this year’s draft, with his only competition — at least according to the experts — being Heisman Trophy winner Kyler Murray.
There aren’t many knocks on Haskins, who rewrote Ohio State’s passing record book in 2018. He threw for 4,831 yards and 50 touchdowns in his only season as a starter, leading the NCAA in both categories. He also completed passes at a 70 percent clip. He’s 6-foot-3, 220 pounds and can make every throw in the book, and has incredible awareness.
Some have compared Haskins to Ben Roethlisberger, while others have likened him to Carson Palmer. Both quarterbacks were selected in the first round of their respective draft classes.
The draft is still two months away, but Haskins seems like a lock to put an end to a streak that’s lasted nearly 25 years.
The B1G’s inability to develop a first-round quarterback is the most notable dry spell for the conference when it comes to the NFL Draft, but there’s actually another streak that’s likely to come to an end in April.
It’s been over a decade since the B1G has produced a No. 1 overall draft pick. Right now, former Ohio State defensive end Nick Bosa is sitting at the top of several mock boards.
In 2008, Michigan offensive tackle Jake Long was taken with the No. 1 overall pick by the Miami Dolphins. It was the last time a player from the conference was taken with the first selection. Since that time, every other Power Five conference — SEC, ACC, Big 12 and Pac-12 — as well as the MAC, have all had a player chosen with the No. 1 pick.
For what it’s worth, Ohio State hasn’t had a player go No. 1 overall since Orlando Pace in 1997.
Bosa has been near the top of the projections since the season started, and not much has changed, despite suffering a core injury in the third week of the season. Since he was sidelined, the Buckeye defensive end has focused his attention on training for the upcoming draft, trying to increase his stock as much as possible.
So far, it’s worked.
Bosa isn’t leaving anything up to chance and though, and still plans to be a full participant at the NFL Scouting Combine in the coming weeks.
“I’m doing everything,” Bosa said a month ago. “I don’t want to leave any doubt. I want them to see me at my best and I think I’m going to be at my best and I’m working towards it right now.”
While in Columbus, Bosa totaled 77 tackles, 29 for loss and 17.5 sacks.
Bosa is a freak athlete with an excellent combination of speed and strength. Though he served as a pass-rusher in Columbus, some are saying he’s capable of even moving to a linebacker role, making him one of the more versatile talents in the draft class.
Like Haskins is a near lock to end the B1G’s quarterback drought, Bosa is as close to a sure bet to be the conference’s first No. 1 overall selection in over a decade as you’ll get.
With two months still remaining until the 2019 NFL Draft, there’s plenty that can change between now and then. But, right now, the B1G is in really good position to end two hideous droughts, and Ohio State would be fully responsible for ending both.
Talk about a serious recruiting advantage for Ryan Day.
Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB