The 2024 NFL Draft commences on Thursday evening. It’s confirmed that Marvin Harrison Jr. will be the first Ohio State football player selected, although the team that will pick him remains uncertain. More details on potential teams interested in him will be available later in the week.
Another intriguing aspect is identifying the second Buckeye to be chosen. Unlike previous years, there’s no consensus on this selection, marking a departure from Ohio State’s usual trend of having two players taken in the first round. This shift is partly due to several players opting to return for another season.
Two candidates are vying to be the second Ohio State football player off the board. One of them is tight end Cade Stover, who showcased his receiving prowess over the past two seasons, amassing ten touchdowns combined during that span.
Stover exhibits notable speed for a tight end but lacks the desired blocking skills, although he showed improvement in this area in 2023 after a subpar blocking performance in 2022. This development has bolstered his draft prospects, potentially placing him as a late second-round pick.
The other contender is defensive tackle Mike Hall, who consistently made impactful plays despite modest statistics. Hall recorded 4.5 sacks in 2022 and exhibited increased pressure in 2023, even if his sack numbers didn’t match up.
Hall’s potential to be selected as early as the second round stems from his athleticism, which holds significant weight in the drafting process alongside on-field production. He possesses the full spectrum of athletic attributes coveted by teams, particularly in the front lines. In my opinion, he stands a stronger chance than Stover to be the second Ohio State player chosen in the Draft.
This weekend will unveil the destinations where each of the Buckeyes will embark on their professional football journeys, marking a milestone in their lives. It’s likely to be the most memorable weekend for these individuals.
