2026 NFL Draft: Buckeyes' head coach Ryan Day raves about Ohio State's historic class

Edge rusher Arvell Reese, linebacker Sonny Styles, wide receiver Carnell Tate and safety Caleb Downs are all projected to go in the top 10 of the 2026 NFL Draft - with defensive tackle Kayden McDonald a candidate to follow them later in the first round.

Here's what Day had to say about each of his talented former students.

Stream the 2026 NFL Draft live on DAZN

The 2026 NFL Draft begins tonight in Pittsburgh, and fans worldwide can watch every round live on DAZN - for free.*

Round 1 starts at 1am BST / 8pm ET / 5pm PT, where Fernando Mendoza, Jeremiyah Love and Carnell Tate will hear their names called and take their first steps toward NFL stardom.

Days two and three follow on Friday and Saturday, with rounds two through seven producing plenty of their own headline names. Streaming times can be found here.

*Excluding Canada

2026 NFL Draft: four Buckeyes in the top 10

Being so well represented atop the draft would have some college coaches shouting about it from the rooftops. Day is taking it in his stride.

"The expectation at Ohio State is very high. The mindset is when guys come into our program, they should be thinking about going in the first round or the second round.

"We're expecting to win every game, we're expecting guys to get drafted early."

Reese's untapped potential

Having converted from an off-ball linebacker to an edge rusher, Reese is a little rawer than some of his peers at the position.

Day believes his potential is part of the appeal.

"He's got a lot of power. When you see him, he can line up on the ball or he can line up off the ball.

"I think there's not a lot of guys that really can do that. Can set the edge, can rush the passer, but also can play at the second level.

"This is a young player who has a lot of upside. I think of all the guys that are coming out, he's the one that we haven't seen the most out of yet."

Day's verdict on Styles

Michael Reaves / Staff

Styles made the move from safety to linebacker during his college career, and is primed to follow in the footsteps of his father, former NFL linebacker Lorenzo Styles.

Asked about what the 21-year-old has to offer an NFL team, Day raved about Styles' traits both on and off the field.

"When I talk to GMs, I talk to head coaches, one of the things I heard was 'This is one of the best interviews we've ever had.'

"He came from safety down to linebacker. His dad was a really great linebacker, and they see it the same way.

"Sonny has always been really good in space. So when you watch his game, he can do a whole bunch of things.

"He can diagnose plays really fast. When you watch the clips, he's playing with an anticipation mindset - not reacting - and I thought as he continued to play, the game got slower and slower for him."

2026 NFL Draft: the fun questions

Put on the spot by Kurt Warner, Day was asked to vote on a series of light-hearted questions.

He picked Styles as the player he'd want delivering a motivational speech, Downs as the most presidential, and - after initially refusing to be drawn on which Ohio State product is the most competitive - singled out Tate and McDonald.

Check out our live blog and news page to learn the fate of the Buckeyes' prospects and for all the 2026 NFL Draft fallout.