Ohio State football’s Chase Young, Jeff Okudah among highest pre-2020 NFL Draft grades

College football: Michigan vs. Ohio State - November 30, 2019

Ohio State defensive end Chase Young (2) celebrates after the Buckeyes' 56-27 win over Michigan at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor last November.Mike Mulholland | MLive.com

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio State football’s 11 invites to the 2020 NFL Draft Scouting Combine ranked behind only LSU for most in the nation.

But the Buckeyes also have the two of the three highest-rated prospects, based on the grades the NFL announced along with the invite list.

Defensive end Chase Young received the highest grade of any player — 7.40. Auburn defensive tackle Derrick Brown has a 7.16 grade, with OSU cornerback Jeff Okudah right behind at 7.15.

Both of those former Buckeyes opted to forgo their senior season to enter the draft. They are widely expected to be the No. 2 and No. 3 players selected in April’s draft, behind LSU quarterback Joe Burrow.

Burrow, a former OSU quarterback, received a draft grade of 7.07.

By comparison, NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year and OSU alum Nick Bosa took a 7.00 grade into last year’s combine — tied for highest overall. Notre Dame offensive lineman Quenton Nelson, North Carolina State defensive end Bradley Chubb and Penn State running back Saquon Barley all had grades of 7.40 in 2018.

OHIO STATE PRE-SCOUTING COMBINE NFL DRAFT GRADES

DE Chase Young — 7.40

CB Jeff Okudah — 7.15

RB J.K. Dobbins — 6.38

LB Malik Harrison — 6.36

CB Damon Arnette Jr. — 6.19

WR K.J. Hill — 6.17

DL DaVon Hamilton — 6.12

OL Jonah Jackson — 5.87

WR Austin Mack — 5.87

S Jordan Fuller and WR Ben Victor — no grade


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