Buckeye Legends Make All-Time NFL Undrafted Team

Before Ohio State started their 25 year streak of having a player selected in the NFL Draft, their were two undrafted Buckeyes who went onto become Hall of Famers.

Author:
Harrison Reno
Mar 16, 2023 1:33 PM EDT

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Ohio State Buckeyes

The Ohio State Buckeyes have built a reputation for recruiting and developing elite football players so that they transition seamlessly into a career in the NFL when their time in Columbus ends.

The Buckeyes have had a player drafted in each NFL Draft for 25 straight years. The last time that not a single Ohio State player wasn't taken was in 1998, the only time in program history that it has occurred. But even for those Buckeyes who never heard their names called, some have had great careers.

Two Buckeyes were named in an All-Time NFL Undrafted team in an article written by SI's Raider Maven. The first Buckeye mentioned was Lou Groza, a member of the NFL Hall of Fame and the 22nd all-time leading scorer in the NFL with over 1,600 points via kicks, who went undrafted.

"Hall of Fame, NFL’s 50^th anniversary team, 1950s NFL all-decade team, 9 Pro Bowls. Played 21 seasons, 152 starts, 8 championship rings with the Cleveland Browns. Also the NFL’s 22nd all-time leading scorer with 1,608 kicking points. Thus the nickname, “The Toe.”
- Raider Maven

Bob Willis was the other Buckeye who made the team, another Hall of Famer in his own right who, despite being undrafted, had a great career.

"Hall of Fame, 1940s NFL all-decade team, 4 Pro Bowls. Played eight seasons and won five championship rings with the Cleveland Browns, all in a row – the first four in the All-America Football Conference and the last one in the NFL."
- Raider Maven

The upcoming NFL Draft will surely see the Ohio State draft streak continue, but even those who aren't selected have an opportunity to prove themselves.