Ohio State’s ‘Trust the Process’ Mentality Just Produced Nearly $165 Million in NFL Contracts
Ohio State’s message to recruits has long been simple: trust the process. In an era where playing time concerns often send players into the transfer portal, four former Buckeyes just provided a powerful example of why patience can pay off. Carnell Tate, Arvell Reese, Sonny Styles, and Caleb Downs collectively signed rookie contracts. In total, they were valued at nearly $165 million after hearing their names called early in the 2026 NFL Draft.
The staggering figure recently gained attention on social media. Many fans noted that both Tate and Reese spent significant portions of their college careers waiting for larger roles. Rather than leaving Columbus in search of immediate opportunities, they stayed put and eventually developed into first-round talents. Tate, who spent much of his career competing alongside elite receivers in Ohio State’s loaded wide receiver room, emerged as one of the top pass-catchers in the country before being selected fourth overall by the Tennessee Titans. His rookie contract is valued at approximately $51 million.
Ohio State rookie contracts:
— Swish (@swishxvibes) June 7, 2026
– Carnell Tate: $51M⁰- Arvell Reese: $47.8M⁰- Sonny Styles: $37M⁰- Caleb Downs: $28.9M
Arvell didn't become a starter until his junior season, and Tate spent most of his career playing behind elite WRs, yet they still trusted the process, and it…
Reese followed closely behind, going fifth overall to the New York Giants. The linebacker wasn’t a full-time starter until later in his Buckeye career, but his development turned him into one of the most sought-after defensive prospects in the draft.
Meanwhile, Sonny Styles and Caleb Downs continued Ohio State’s defensive dominance at the next level. Styles was selected seventh overall by the Washington Commanders and signed a deal worth roughly $37 million. Downs, widely regarded as one of college football’s premier defensive backs, landed with the Dallas Cowboys at No. 11 overall and secured a contract worth nearly $29 million.
Ohio State’s NFL Pipeline Keeps Delivering
The quartet’s draft success added another chapter to Ohio State’s reputation as one of college football’s premier NFL factories. Their selections helped the Buckeyes achieve a rare milestone, becoming just the third program in NFL Draft history to produce four players within the first 11 picks of a single draft. More importantly, it showcased a development model that continues to resonate in Columbus.
For every player chasing immediate playing time elsewhere, Ohio State now has another set of examples to point toward. Tate waited behind future NFL receivers. Reese bided his time before becoming a starter. Styles and Downs continued sharpening their games in a highly competitive environment.
The result was not only first-round draft status but contracts totaling nearly $165 million. In a college football landscape increasingly defined by quick decisions and instant gratification, Ohio State’s latest NFL success story serves as a reminder that sometimes the longest route can still lead to the biggest payoff.
Ohio State’s ‘Trust the Process’ Mentality Just Produced Nearly $165 Million in NFL Contracts
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