The Ohio State Buckeyes have a good shot at seeing three players from their 2016 defense get drafted early in the 2017 NFL Draft, potentially all in the first round. All three players — Marshon Lattimore, Malik Hooker and Gareon Conley — played in the same defensive backfield for the past two seasons.
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Both Lattimore and Hooker enter the draft as redshirt sophomores, and both are expected to be high first-round draft selections. Lattimore is CBS Sports' No. 5 overall prospect, while Hooker is their No. 7 prospect. Conley is a redshirt junior, and is CBS Sports' No. 36 overall prospect.
Conley and Lattimore formed a formidable cornerback duo for the Buckeyes last season, with Hooker holding down a safety spot with Damon Webb.
The trio of future NFL players combined for 172 total tackles, 15 interceptions (Lattimore had 7, Conley and Hooker 4 each) and 21 pass breakups. Clearly, the three defensive backs were a big part of Ohio State's success in 2015 and 2016.
Here's a look at the season highlights for each of the star Buckeyes.
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Marshon Lattimore, CB
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Malik Hooker, S
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Gareon Conley, CB
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The 2017 NFL Draft is still a few weeks away, but these three prospects have made an impact at every pre-draft opportunity. Lattimore ran the third-fastest 40-yard dash among defensive backs, had the sixth-best vertical jump, and the third-best broad jump.
Conley stood out in the cone and shuttle drills, finishing near the top in all.
This trio of players looks destined to not only be high draft picks come the 2017 NFL Draft, but they should also be able to immediately make an impact for their new teams.
