Despite a large number of draft-eligible starters opting to stay in school, Ohio State will have its average representation at the combine.
Headlining the group is receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., who is considered a likely top five pick.
Also headed to Indianapolis at the end of the month from Ohio State are tight end Cade Stover, running back Miyan Williams, offensive guard Matt Jones, safety Josh Proctor, defensive lineman Mike Hall Jr. and linebackers Tommy Eichenerg and Steele Chambers.
The combine is set to run from Feb. 26-March 4.
Ohio State has averaged 7.8 combine invitees since 2013 and had at least seven invitees each year since 2015.
Harrison is the only Ohio State player considered likely to be taken in the first round, and he might be the only one go to in the first three rounds.
His combine should be interesting because he’ll be joined by multiple elite prospects who could challenge him for the status of WR1, including Malik Nabers of LSU and Rome Udunze of Washington.
All have displayed elite ability on the field, so how they measure up against each other in Indianapolis could determine the draft order in April.
Stover, who was a productive pass catcher the past two seasons at Ohio State, was rated among the top five tight end prospects by a handful of ESPN draft analysts last month, but he could also have room to improve if he puts up impressive workout numbers.
He and Eichenberg were both banged up late in the season, so they will want to prove to NFL evaluators they are healthy.
The same figures to be true of Williams, who was Ohio State’s primary running back at times the past three seasons but underwent a season-ending surgery for an unidentified injury last fall and looks like a long shot to be drafted. He is No. 203 on Pro Football Focus’ big board.
At 6-foot-1, 198 pounds, Proctor could be a candidate to move up draft boards if he has a strong combine. He had only one productive season at Ohio State (last season) but has the measurables to believe he could be better at the next level than he was in Scarlet and Gray.
The 6-4, 260-pound Verse logged 13 sacks and 21 tackles for loss in 21 games for Florida State after transferring from Albany two years ago, and he is ranked No. 15 on the PFF big board.
The 6-4, 251-pound All was a three-year letterman at Michigan, where he signed out of high school and caught 54 passes for 565 yards and two touchdowns.
He caught 21 passes for 299 last season for Iowa despite suffering a season-ending knee injury in the seventh game of the season and ranks No. 272 on the PFF big board.
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