NFL Kickoff: 4 locals among Ohio State players on NFL rosters to start new season

With the NFL set to kick off its 99th season this week, 39 former Ohio State football payers are on league rosters.

That includes local high school graduates Michael Bennett (Centerville) of the Jaguars, Kurt Coleman (Northmont) of the Saints, Taylor Decker (Butler) of the Lions and Mike Nugent (Centerville) of the Raiders.

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The group also includes a pair of rookies suiting up for the Cincinnati Bengals -- center Billy Price and defensive end Sam Hubbard.

Here’s a look at all of the former Buckeyes in the league:

  • Eli Apple, Giants
  • Jerome Baker, Dolphins
  • Vonn Bell, Saints
  • Michael Bennett, Jaguars
  • Joey Bosa, Chargers
  • Noah Brown, Cowboys
  • Kurt Coleman, Saints
  • Gareon Conley, Raiders
  • Taylor Decker, Lions
  • Nate Ebner, Patriots
  • Pat Elflein, Vikings
  • Ezekiel Elliott, Cowboys
  • Ted Ginn Jr., Saints
  • Jeff Heuerman, Broncos
  • Cameron Hayward, Steelers,
  • Jalyn Holmes, Vikings
  • Malik Hooker, Colts
  • Sam Hubbard, Bengals
  • Carlos Hyde, Browns
  • Malcolm Jenkins, Eagles
  • Cameron Johnston, Eagles
  • Jamarco Jones, Seahawks (Injured reserve)
  • Marshon Lattimore, Saints
  • Darron Lee, Jets
  • Tyquan Lewis, Colts
  • Corey Linsley, Packers
  • Raekwon McMillan, Dolphins
  • Jake McQuaide, Rams
  • Andrew Norwell, Jaguars
  • Mike Nugent, Raiders
  • Billy Price, Bengals
  • Terrelle Pryor, Jets
  • Bradley Roby, Broncos
  • Curtis Samuel, Panthers
  • Ryan Shazier, Steelers (Physically unable to perform list)
  • Rod Smith, Cowboys
  • Michael Thomas, Saints
  • Nick Vannett, Seahawks
  • Denzel Ward, Browns
  • Adolphus Washington, Bills

Ten former Ohio State players missed final cuts, including quarterbacks Cardale Jones and J.T. Barrett.

They both landed on practice squads, however, with Jones staying with the Los Angeles Chargers and Barrett with the Saints.

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Braxton Miller, a two-time Big Ten MVP from Wayne High School who moved from quarterback to receiver his senior season at Ohio State, was released by the Texans over the weekend and is a free agent.

Also making NFL practice squads were Damon Webb (Titans) and Chris Worley (Bengals).

Receiver Devin Smith, one of the heroes of the 2014 national championship run, was released before training camp by the Jets in the wake of persistent knee problems.

Jalin Marshall, a Middletown grad who was also a member of that title team, wasn’t on an NFL roster this preseason but has announced plans to be part fo the Alliance of American Football, a new league set to begin play in early 2019.

Nick Mangold, a Pro Bowl center for 11 seasons who graduated from Alter High School, announced his retirement in April.

Mangold was a member of Ohio State’s 2002 national championship team.

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