While While speaking to the media at the Zurich Classic in New Orleans, he also mentioned that his favorite Buckeyes in this year's draft class are linebackers Sonny Styles and Arvell Reese."I think I heard that five Ohio State players are going in the first round, so that might be a record," Werner said. "Got a lot of talent by those Buckeyes, so hopefully they end up in a great spot."There are five Buckeyes who could be selected in the first round of the draft, with four of them likely to be top-10 picks: Reese, Styles, Carnell Tate, and Caleb Downs. The fifth player, defensive lineman Kayden McDonald, also has hopes of being a first-round pick, although he is considered more of a late first-round prospect.As a point of record, six is the highest number of first-round picks that a school has ever had in a single draft.

This record was achieved by both the 2004 Miami Hurricanes and the 2021 Alabama Crimson Tide. The Buckeyes are also in contention to tie the record for the most players selected in the top 10 during a single draft, a record last accomplished by the 1967 Michigan State Spartans.In New Orleans, Tate and Downs are the most likely players from Ohio State to be drafted by the Saints. With wide receiver being a position of need, selecting Tate makes plenty of sense, and it would also be hard for general manager Mickey Loomis and the front office to overlook the potential of a generational safety talent like Downs, especially if they have the opportunity to select him at pick No. 8.Saints and former Ohio State linebacker on which Buckeye tops this year’s draft class pic.twitter.com/bAfriE2Ard— Mike Triplett (@MikeTriplett) April 21, 2026This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: 2026 NFL Draft: Saints LB Pete Werner previews Ohio State class