Category: Buckeyes Wire

Matthew Jones signing with Miami Dolphins as undrafted free agent

Matthew Jones will get his shot as an undrafted free agent. #GoBucks

We continue to get news of former Ohio State players signing with teams as undrafted free agents after not hearing their name called during the 2024 NFL draft, and one of those players that was hoping to get drafted, Matthew Jones, has signed with the Miami Dolphins.

It’s clearly not the path that Jones desired for himself, but there have been examples of guys make through the uphill climb and carve out a niche with an NFL team when simply given a chance.

Jones showed a lot of promise but Ohio State’s struggles on the offensive line last season did him no favors, so he’ll have to try and do it the hard way when rookie camps get underway. We will of course stay on top of his journey along with other former OSU players as they try to bank the odds and make a team through these camp invites.

Contact/Follow us @BuckeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes and opinion. Follow Phil Harrison on X.

Detroit Lions to sign Steele Chambers as undrafted free agent

Chambers will be invited to a camp to show what he can do. #GoBucks

We continue to keep an eye on the news that comes out with former Ohio State players signing as undrafted free agents after the conclusion of the 2024 NFL draft, one in which just four Buckeyes heard their name called.

The latest is some sourcing that linebacker Steele Chambers will be signing up in enemy territory with the Detroit Lions as an UFA.

Chambers didn’t have the same production in 2023 that we saw previous, but he still has the skills and ability to play in today’s defensive schemes in the NFL. He can run and defend in space, and those are desired traits in the NFL these days.

Though many mock drafts had Chambers going in the later rounds, he didn’t ultimately get the call and will now have to work his way through the hard way, as an invite with a contract to rookie camp.

We’ll keep an eye on how Chambers does in Detroit and what’s next for his career.

Contact/Follow us @BuckeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes and opinion. Follow Phil Harrison on X.

Ohio State receiver Xavier Johnson to sign with Bills as undrafted free agent

Just keep proving everyone wrong X! #GoBucks

Now that the 2024 NFL draft is in the books with only four Ohio State players being selected. We’re now on the watch to see where some of the Buckeye players that didn’t get drafted sign as undrafted free agents.

We already have news on that front with sources indicated that OSU wide receiver Xavier Johnson will be signed by the Buffalo Bills.

By now, you know Johnson’s story well. He went from a walk-on, to special[anyclip-media thumbnail=”undefined” playlistId=”undefined” content=”dW5kZWZpbmVk”][/anyclip-media] teams mainstay, to significant contributor his last two seasons wearing the scarlet and gray. He was even the “Block 0” honoree last season.

There was some thought that an NFL team might take a chance on Johnson because of his versatility and ability to play on special teams, but it appears he’ll have to now elbow his way into a role as an UFA.

We’ll continue to keep an eye on where former Ohio State players land as news comes out on the frenzied efforts to gobble up players that did not get drafted and bring it to you.

Steelers add former Ohio State player in NFL Draft

Steelers add a former Buckeye in the NFL Draft #GoBucks

With the No. 195 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers have taken Ryan Watts from the University of Texas, but as most Ohio State fans will know, Watts started his college career at The Ohio State University. Watts was originally a four-star cornerback commit from the great state of Texas in the Ohio State recruiting class of 2020 and big things were expected almost immediately since he enrolled on campus early.

Watts played two season as a Buckeye before electing to transfer to become a Longhorn and he actually saw the filed a considerable amount in Columbus, including his true freshman season, where Ohio State made an appearance in the national championship.

Watts started as a sophomore but towards the end of the season started to be pushed out of that starting rotation and elected to enter the transfer portal to head back home to Texas. Once a Buckeye, always a Buckeye, we wish Watts good luck!

Ohio State linebacker Tommy Eichenberg joins the Raiders

Tommy Eichenberg joins the Raiders #GoBucks

With the No. 148 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Las Vegas Raiders took Tommy Eichenberg, a linebacker from Ohio State. Eichenberg could not have landed at a better spot due to his aggressive downhill playing style, he is a perfect fit for Las Vegas and its defensive mindset.

Eichenberg is primed to grow into a starting middle linebacker in this Raiders defense and it is honestly a bit shocking an NFL team didn’t take a chance on the dominating Big Ten linebacker earlier.

Eichenberg’s old-school mentality and playing style is fits the culture of the Raiders very well and I am sure all Buckeye fans are excited to see what’s next in his career. The last linebackers from Ohio State to be selected in the NFL draft were Peter Werner and Baron Browning in 2021, so this pick ends a bit of a dry spell, and given how successful those two players have been perhaps its a good sign.

Ohio State tight end Cade Stover reunites with C.J. Stroud

Cade Stover reunites with C.J. Stroud #GoBucks

With the No. 123 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Houston Texans selected Cade Stover, tight end from Ohio State. There may not have been a better fit on the board for Houston, because not only where they looking for additional firepower in the offense, but they need someone with a great connection with the current star quarterback and also Ohio State alum, C.J. Stroud.

It is not very often we talk about fourth-round selections being possible difference-makers, but we have seen how impactful these connections can be and it would not be surprising to see Stover make some real news sooner than later.

Stover is the third Buckeye off the board as Marvin Harrison Jr. was selected in the first round by the Arizona Cardinals and Michael Hall Jr., was selected in the second round by the Cleveland Browns. It is odd to see so few Buckeyes get selected, but hopefully that is a sign of how good Ohio State should be in 2024.

 

WATCH: Ohio State receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. talks to Cardinals’ media

Listen to what Harrison had to say during his introductory press conference in Arizona. #GoBucks

Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. realized a childhood dream when he was selected in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft as the No. 4 pick on Friday night by the Arizona Cardinals.

Since then has no doubt been a whirlwind with interviews and media appearances, but one of the most important forums took place on Friday, one day after all of the festivities, when he was introduced to the media in Arizona.

It should be no surprise that Harrison carried himself well and showed great class in front of the media, just like we’ve all become accustomed to during his time on the banks of the Olentangy.

If you didn’t get a chance to soak in Harrison’s introductory press conference, we’re repurposing it here thanks to the Cardinals’ YouTube Channel. Watch and listen to how excited Harrison is to be in Arizona, when he found out he was going to be selected by the Cardinals, his brand as a pro, and more.

Contact/Follow us @BuckeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes and opinion. Follow Phil Harrison on X.

WATCH: Ohio State receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. NFL draft press conference

Listen to what Harrison had to say after he was drafted on Thursday night. #GoBucks

Ohio State saw another player go off the board early in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft when all-everything receiver, Marvin Harrison Jr., was selected by the Arizona Cardinals with the No. 4 pick on Thursday night.

It’s about what everyone expected with Harrison becoming the first non-quarterback to be selected up in the top five of a draft shocked full of offensive skill. He was on hand at the NFL draft because of the high expectations of his draft status, so it was easy to get him in front of the media to field questions and react to the process.

In case you missed any of Harrison’s NFL draft press conference, you can soak it all in thanks to video from Yahoo! Sports’ YouTube channel. You can listen to Harrison talk about how excited he is, his work ethic, comparing himself to his father, and more.

We will, of course, continue to follow the rounds Harrison makes as he gets acclimated into his new role as a potential top-end NFL player and can’t wait to follow his career starting this fall.

Contact/Follow us @BuckeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes and opinion. Follow Phil Harrison on X.

Best photos of Marvin Harrison Jr. at the NFL draft

Check out some photos of Ohio State receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. on draft night. #GoBucks

As we expected, one of the best receivers to ever walk through the tunnel in Ohio Stadium wearing Scarlet and Gray went off the board early in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft.

In fact, he went to the Arizona Cardinals with the No. 4 pick, the highest drafted receiver ever to come out of Ohio State. It was no doubt a dream come true for Harrison, and since he was expected to go early, he was on hand for the draft posing on the red carpet and sitting in the green room awaiting his final destination.

In case you missed some of the photo ops of Harrison, we have some of the best of them for you to soak in, much like what the son of a Hall of Famer did himself on Friday night.

Here is some of the best high-resolution photos of Harrison at the 2024 NFL draft.

Michael Hall Jr. drafted by the Cleveland Browns

Michael Hall Jr. drafted by the Cleveland Browns #GoBucks

With the No. 54 selection in the 2024 NFL draft, the Cleveland Browns selected Michael Hall Jr., a defensive tackle from Ohio State.

Cleveland has been on a great run of drafting former Buckeyes. It drafted Dawand Jones and Luke Wypler last season and signed Ronnie Hickman as an undrafted free agent. That streak continued with the addition of Hall in the second round this year.

Hall was the second former Ohio State standout off the board. Marvin Harrison Jr. was selected in the first round at No. 4 to the Arizona Cardinals on Thursday night. With Day 2 featuring both the second and the third rounds, there will likely be more Buckeyes off the board.

Hall is the seventh interior defensive lineman taken, which was about where most draft experts had him slotted. No one doubts Hall’s athleticism, but his lack of ideal size likely kept him out of the first-round discussion.