Ohio State Athletes at the 2025 NFL Combine: Criteria for Selection and Performance Expectations

As one of the premier football programs in the nation, Ohio State University consistently produces some of the best athletes in college football. The NFL Scouting Combine serves as a critical platform for players to showcase their talents and demonstrate their readiness for the professional level. The 2025 NFL Combine will be a pivotal event for Ohio State athletes looking to make the leap to the NFL, and understanding the criteria for selection and performance expectations will help provide insight into how Ohio State athletes can perform and what scouts will be looking for.

Overview of the NFL Combine

The NFL Scouting Combine is an annual event that takes place in Indianapolis, Indiana, where invited draft prospects undergo a series of physical and mental evaluations. These evaluations provide NFL teams with valuable information to help them make decisions in the upcoming NFL Draft. Players are assessed through drills, interviews, psychological testing, and medical evaluations.

Ohio State has long been a staple in producing NFL-caliber talent, and many of the Buckeyes who attend the Combine have gone on to stellar careers in the league. The 2025 Combine will feature a new crop of Buckeye athletes, and the event will be just as important for them as it has been for past Ohio State players.

Eligibility Criteria for the Combine

NFL teams, through the league office, invite approximately 300 draft-eligible prospects to the Combine each year. The selection process involves several layers of evaluation, with college coaches, scouts, and team personnel carefully considering players based on their college performance, potential NFL readiness, and physical testing.

Ohio State athletes, like all players, must meet certain eligibility requirements to be considered for the Combine:

1. Eligibility for the NFL Draft:
   • A player must have completed three years of college football or declared themselves eligible for the draft. For Ohio State athletes, this typically means players who have either completed their junior year or declared early for the draft.
   • Players who have not graduated can still be eligible if they meet the three-year rule and declare for the draft.
2. Performance at the College Level:
   • NFL teams place heavy emphasis on a player’s collegiate performance. Ohio State athletes will be evaluated based on their stats, how they performed in big games, and their overall contributions to the team.
   • Players who excelled in the Big Ten Conference, particularly in high-profile games such as the College Football Playoff or the Rose Bowl, will garner more attention from scouts.
3. Scouting and Projections:
   • Players who have consistently shown potential throughout their college careers and are projected to be high draft picks are likely to be invited to the Combine.
   • Ohio State athletes who are ranked as top-tier prospects, especially those in skill positions (quarterback, wide receiver, cornerback, etc.), are prime candidates for the invitation.

Key Evaluation Criteria for Ohio State Athletes

Once athletes from Ohio State, and other schools, receive an invitation to the NFL Combine, they will undergo several key evaluations. These assessments are designed to evaluate both their athletic ability and their potential fit for NFL teams. Understanding these evaluation metrics can help provide insight into how Ohio State athletes should prepare for the Combine and what they must demonstrate.

1. Physical Testing

Physical testing is arguably the most important aspect of the NFL Combine, and Ohio State athletes will need to perform well in these drills to catch the eyes of NFL scouts. These tests are designed to assess a player’s strength, speed, agility, and overall physical prowess.

• 40-yard dash: This is perhaps the most famous drill at the Combine, and it tests a player’s straight-line speed. Ohio State athletes with elite speed, particularly wide receivers, cornerbacks, and running backs, will be expected to run a fast time. For example, players like Chris Olave (2022 Combine) and Garrett Wilson (2022 Combine) showed off their blazing speed, which made them first-round picks.
• Bench Press: This test measures upper body strength by requiring players to bench press 225 pounds as many times as possible. This drill is especially important for positions like offensive and defensive linemen, linebackers, and tight ends, where raw power is crucial for success at the next level. Ohio State athletes who excel in strength will increase their stock, such as former Buckeye linemen like Nick Bosa, who displayed his impressive power during his Combine appearance.
• Vertical Jump: This test evaluates explosiveness and lower body strength. A higher vertical jump demonstrates a player’s ability to generate power from the legs, which is crucial for positions such as wide receiver, cornerback, and running back. Ohio State athletes will be expected to show strong verticals if they are expected to make plays in the air or as ball carriers.
• Broad Jump: Similar to the vertical jump, the broad jump measures explosiveness but in the horizontal plane. It is especially important for players in positions where lateral movement and acceleration are crucial. Wide receivers, cornerbacks, and defensive backs, who rely on explosive movements, must demonstrate quickness and agility in this test.
• Three-Cone Drill and Shuttle Drill: These drills test agility, footwork, and the ability to change direction quickly. For Ohio State athletes playing positions like running back, wide receiver, and defensive back, agility is a key skill. The three-cone drill is particularly useful for assessing how well a player can navigate tight spaces, while the shuttle drill shows lateral quickness.

2. Position-Specific Drills

Beyond the general physical testing, position-specific drills are also critical for Ohio State athletes at the Combine. These drills allow scouts to observe how a player handles the skills specific to their position.

• Quarterbacks: For quarterbacks like Kyle McCord or Devin Brown (depending on the draft class), throwing drills at the Combine will be crucial. NFL scouts will evaluate arm strength, accuracy, footwork, and decision-making under pressure. These drills will show how well a quarterback can perform in real-game scenarios.
• Wide Receivers: Wide receivers from Ohio State, such as Marvin Harrison Jr. (who, if eligible, would be a top prospect), will need to demonstrate their route-running ability, catching hands, and separation speed. Receivers will be asked to run a variety of routes, including slants, fades, and posts, to showcase their proficiency in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment.
• Offensive and Defensive Linemen: Linemen will undergo drills that test their blocking and pass-rush techniques. Scouts will evaluate their ability to engage with and shed blocks, their footwork, and their hand placement. Ohio State has produced elite talent in the trenches, and linemen like Paris Johnson Jr. will need to showcase their strength and agility.
• Running Backs: Running backs, such as TreVeyon Henderson (depending on his eligibility), will be evaluated on their ability to run through tackles, catch passes out of the backfield, and block in pass protection. These abilities will be tested through a series of agility drills, catching drills, and ball-handling drills.
• Defensive Backs: Defensive backs from Ohio State, including cornerbacks and safeties, will undergo drills that assess their ability to cover receivers, react to the ball in the air, and break on the ball quickly. Agility, speed, and ball skills are crucial for these players, and their ability to create turnovers will be scrutinized.

3. Mental Evaluations and Interviews

While physical testing is critical, mental and psychological evaluations are just as important in the selection process. NFL teams want to ensure that players can handle the pressures of professional football and have the mental toughness to succeed.

• Interviews: During the Combine, NFL teams have the opportunity to interview athletes and assess their character, work ethic, and football IQ. These interviews are an essential part of the evaluation process, and Ohio State athletes must demonstrate their knowledge of the game, their leadership qualities, and their passion for football.
• Psychological Testing: Players will also undergo psychological testing to gauge their mental fortitude, emotional stability, and ability to handle adversity. For Ohio State athletes, a history of resilience, particularly in high-pressure games, can be a huge asset.

4. Medical Evaluation

Before a player is invited to the NFL Combine, they undergo thorough medical evaluations to assess their physical condition and injury history. For Ohio State athletes, this will be especially important for players with a history of injuries, such as those recovering from ACL tears or other significant injuries. The medical staff at the Combine will examine players to ensure that they are in optimal physical condition and do not have any lingering injuries that might affect their performance.

5. Position-Specific Metrics and Trends

NFL teams often place greater emphasis on specific attributes depending on the position. For example, in recent years, there has been an increasing emphasis on speed for wide receivers and cornerbacks, leading to more attention on 40-yard dash times. For quarterbacks, arm strength and accuracy are key, while for offensive linemen, footwork and strength are prioritized. Ohio State athletes must be aware of these trends and ensure that they showcase their skills in a way that aligns with current NFL team preferences.

Preparing for the NFL Combine

For Ohio State athletes, preparation for the 2025 NFL Combine is crucial. The intense competition means that every aspect of a player’s skill set needs to be honed. Key preparation strategies include:

• Strength and Conditioning: Players should undergo specific strength and conditioning regimens designed to enhance their speed, power, and agility. A combination of weight training, agility drills, and conditioning work will help players maximize their performance in the physical tests.
• Position-Specific Training: Athletes should work closely with position coaches to refine their technique in drills and position-specific skills. Whether it’s improving throwing mechanics for quarterbacks or enhancing route-running for wide receivers, position-specific coaching will be critical.
• Mental Preparation: The mental aspect of the Combine is just as important as the physical. Players should work on their football IQ, study film, and prepare for interviews to ensure that they are confident and articulate when talking to scouts and team personnel.

The 2025 NFL Scouting Combine will be a significant moment for Ohio State athletes aiming to make it to the next level. Players from Ohio State have consistently impressed at the Combine in the past, and the expectations for future Buckeyes will be high. The selection process and evaluation criteria will focus on physical prowess, football IQ, and mental toughness, and Ohio State athletes will need to perform at the highest level in each of these areas to succeed. For players hoping to make an impact in the NFL, the 2025 NFL Combine will be an important showcase of their talents and readiness to play at the next level.