Ohio State hosted its NFL pro day on March 25 in Columbus, where top prospects including Caleb Downs and Carnell Tate impressed scouts with their workouts. Safety Caleb Downs skipped the 40-yard dash but shone in positional drills, while wide receiver Carnell Tate displayed smooth route-running and speed. Pittsburgh Steelers assistant general manager Andy Weidl and scout Jim Ward attended, despite earlier reports of higher attendance.
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio State's pro day drew significant NFL interest, with prospects positioning themselves for the 2026 draft. Last year, the Buckeyes had 14 players selected, including four first-rounders, and this class features at least a dozen potential picks, five with first-round grades. Scouts eyed four players possibly going in the top 10: safety Caleb Downs, wide receiver Carnell Tate, linebacker Arvell Reese and Sonny Styles, plus defensive tackle Kayden McDonald. Caleb Downs, who sat out the 40 at the NFL Combine and pro day, reminded observers of his elite movement in drills. 'It's not [my job to] convince anybody … my film pretty much does the convincing,' Downs said at the Combine. He emphasized versatility: 'I affect the game … whether that's in the box, in the back end … anywhere they put me.' Defensive coordinator Matt Patricia praised him post-workout: 'You need eraser-type players on defense.' Downs responded to draft concerns: 'Whoever affected the game needs to be picked the highest.' Carnell Tate, clocking 4.52 at the Combine, glided through routes at pro day, showing soft hands and deep speed. Scouts called him the class' WR1, comparing him to a smoother Tee Higgins. 'It was a mindset year … and then also my money year,' Tate said of his 2025 breakout. Arvell Reese showcased hybrid LB/edge skills, envisioning a 3-4 role like Micah Parsons. Sonny Styles, a Combine standout at 6-foot-5 and 245 pounds with a 4.46 40, skipped the workout. Kayden McDonald embraced interior line duties, focusing on disruption. Pittsburgh sent assistant GM Andy Weidl, who sets the draft board, and scout Jim Ward. Earlier reports from Albert Breer indicated GM Omar Khan and coach Mike McCarthy were credentialed, but they did not appear, per event footage.
