Okay, buckle up, because the final NFL 53-man rosters are locked, and the sheer volume of former Ohio State football players making the cut is absolutely bonkers. Fifty-nine former Buckeyes officially secured their spots across the league by Sunday’s deadline. That’s a huge number, showing just how much talent comes out of Columbus year after year.
Buckeyes Are Everywhere, Except For a Few Surprising Spots
You’d think every team would want a piece of that scarlet and gray pedigree, right? And you’d be almost right. There are only five teams in the entire NFL that *don’t* have at least one former Ohio State player on their roster: the Cincinnati Bengals, Los Angeles Chargers, Philadelphia Eagles, Green Bay Packers, and Baltimore Ravens. Think about that for a second. Almost every single team has a Buckeye playing for them. It’s a testament to the program’s consistency. But here’s the kicker: that number would have been an even sweeter 60 if not for a serious situation. Denver Broncos linebacker Jonathon Cooper was placed on the commissioner’s exempt list due to two domestic violence charges. Man, that’s just a gut punch, both for the player and for the bragging rights of getting that nice, round 60. We’re definitely gonna be watching how that whole story unfolds.
Some Teams are Buckeye Goldmines, While Others See Hard Goodbyes
So, who’s got the most Buckeye power? The Cleveland Browns and the Arizona Cardinals are tied for the lead, each rocking six former Ohio State players on their 53-man rosters. That’s some serious firepower coming from one school! Imagine what those locker rooms are like with so many familiar faces. But for every success story, there’s always a tough break. As much as we celebrate the guys who made it, we also have to remember the eight former Buckeyes who got released on Sunday. That’s the brutal reality of the NFL. We saw CB Eli Apple cut by the San Francisco 49ers, WR Xavier Johnson from the Cincinnati Bengals, S Tanner McCalister and DE Tyreke Smith out of Kansas City, G Michael Jordan and CB Shaun Wade released by the Philadelphia Eagles, DT Tywone Malone Jr. from the Carolina Panthers, RB CJ Donaldson Jr. let go by the New Orleans Saints, LB Malik Harrison cut from the Pittsburgh Steelers, and DL Jalyn Holmes from the Tennessee Titans. Each one of those guys worked their tail off, and it just shows you how cutthroat this league really is. And then you get those amazing underdog stories, the ones that really make you cheer. Two former Ohio State players went undrafted but still managed to fight their way onto an NFL roster. Seth McLaughlin, a center and a Rimington Award winner, made the cut for the Detroit Lions. How cool is that? And offensive lineman Josh Fryar also beat the odds, making the Arizona Cardinals’ roster. Talk about earning your spot!
This is what it’s all about, folks. The dreams, the grind, the heartbreak, and the triumph. NFL rosters are set, the season is here, and every single one of these guys, from the 59 Buckeyes who made it to the two undrafted heroes, are ready to show us what they’ve got. Get ready for some football, because it’s gonna be a wild ride!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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