This Ohio State Player Is Starting To Receive 2025 NFL Draft Hype

The Ohio State Buckeyes 2024 roster is loaded with NFL-caliber players, but this offensive tackle has recent shot up draft boards.

Sep 2, 2023; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes offensive lineman Josh Simmons (71) lines up during the NCAA football game at Indiana University Memorial Stadium. Ohio State won 23-3. / Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK

The Ohio State Buckeyes have seen multiple players return to improve their draft stocks, but there has been one offensive lineman that has seen a dramatic rise in attention through four games.

Senior offensive tackle Josh Simmons has made a huge jump from 2023, and his performance so far has caught the attention of many draft analysts. While many claimed that the 2024 offensive tackle class would be loaded with talent, Simmons is slowly emerging as a top player at his position.

#OSU LT Josh Simmons was outstanding against Michigan State and has been all season. Easy athleticism to move laterally but has made a big jump as a consistent run blocker too.

Gets to the second level with ease, balanced as a pass protector, strong anchor. Love what I’m seeing. pic.twitter.com/lO38vjwwYr

— Devin Jackson (@RealD_Jackson) September 30, 2024

NFL Draft analyst Mike Renner had the Buckeyes' star as the No. 3 offensive tackle in his recent position rankings for the 2025 Draft. Simmons ranks behind Texas' Kelvin Banks Jr. and LSU's Will Campbell.

Simmons' name has even floated around in first round conversations. In the NFL Stock Exchange podcast's most recent 2025 mock draft, analyst Trevor Sikkema took Simmons at pick No. 32 for the Kansas City Chiefs.

"...the (Chiefs) blocking needs to improve from what we’ve seen through the first four weeks. I am high on Simmons, whose movement skills are very fluid for a big man. He has put up an 86.4 pass-blocking grade."

- Trevor Sikkema

The veteran tackle began his collegiate career at San Diego State University. He spent his first two seasons with the Aztecs, but eventually hit the transfer portal prior to the 2023 season. In his first year with the Buckeyes, Simmons finished with a 67.5 PFF grade. But the improvements from his junior to senior year have already shown, as he holds a 76.5 PFF grade through four games.