Playoff Capsule: Ohio State prospects for Packers fans to watch

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The second round of 2025-2026 College Football Playoffs are upon us and it's time to go through each team and highlight prospects who could be potential targets for the Green Bay Packers in the 2026 NFL Draft.

During the 2025 NFL Draft, the Packers selected three players who competed in the 2024-2025 College Football Playoffs. Brian Gutekunst selected two Texas Longhorns and one Georgia Bulldog.

Could Gutekunst target any Ohio State Buckeyes in April? The Buckeyes are the No. 2 seed and will square off against Miami on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.

Ohio State prospects like Arvell Reese, Caleb Downs, Sonny Styles and Carnell Tate will not be highlighted in this preview, as they'll all likely go in the first round, with Reese and Downs both going in the Top 10.

Kenyatta Jackson Jr, Edge

At 6-6 and 260 pounds, Jackson looks like he was sent from central casting. The Ohio State edge rusher has strong, tenacious hands. He’s difficult to dig out against the run and enters the playoffs with 11 tackles for loss and 21 run stops. He rushes the passer with power and relentlessness. During the past two games, Jackson has recorded two sacks, three tackles for loss, 10 pressures and five run stops.

Caden Curry, Edge

Curry is a well-rounded player with a motor that never turns off. He makes an impact against the run and as a pass rusher. He enters the playoffs with 16.5 tackles for loss, 11 sacks, 44 pressures and 38 run stops. The Ohio State defensive end is a stout run defender and sets a firm edge. Curry doesn't have ideal length and with his shorter arms, he could be off Green Bay's board. However, if he is there in the fifth round, it may be hard to pass up his skill set.

Davison Igbinosun, CB

At 6-2 with long arms, Igbinosun has the frame that teams are looking for at cornerback. With his length and athleticism, he has the tools to be a lockdown boundary cornerback. On the season, he's been targeted 42 times and given up 18 receptions for 187 yards and no touchdowns. He's a physical cornerback who uses his length to disrupt receivers at the catch point. The Buckeye cornerback enters the playoffs with two interceptions and eight pass deflections to his name.

Jermaine Mathews Jr, CB

Mathews is a fluid athlete with easy change-of-direction skills. The Buckeye cornerback has showcased his outside-inside versatility this season, logging 398 snaps on the boundary and 159 in the slot. He showcases good route recognition and closing burst. If Mathews declares for the 2026 NFL Draft, he could be a potential target for the Packers on Day 3.

Will Kacmarek, TE

Kacmarek is a body mover as a run blocker. He works his tail off and enjoys burying defenders. He has the upper body strength to stay engaged and keeps his legs churning at contact to create movement. There is no doubt that he could carve out a role as a rookie as a physical in-line blocker to help a team's rushing attack. The Ohio transfer may not receive many targets in the passing game, but he has strong, reliable hands. The Buckeye tight end has logged 353 snaps on special teams and one tackle.

Max Klare, TE

Klare is a smooth accelerator off the line of scrimmage and is a seam stretcher. He understands how to attack the defender’s leverage to set up his break and create separation. The Purdue transfer has 43 receptions for 448 yards and two touchdowns. He may not be the bully that Kacmarek is as a blocker, but he has the functional strength to be an asset.

Austin Siereveld, OL

Last season, Siereveld started six games at left guard and also logged snaps at right guard. This season Siereveld has started 13 games at left tackle and given up zero sacks and 10 pressures. He plays with a brawling mentality as a run blocker. With his tackle-guard versatility, Siereveld could be a potential target for the Packers if he declares for the 2026 NFL Draft.

Carson Hinzman, iOL

Hinzman could be the next Ohio State center to wind up in Green Bay. The anchor of Ohio State's offensive line has started 31 games at center and three games at left guard during his time on campus. Thus far this season, Hinzman has given up one sack and 15 pressures.

Kayden McDonald, DT

The former four-star recruit is enjoying a breakout season during his first year as a starter for the Buckeyes. The Ohio State defensive tackle enters the playoffs with 57 tackles, eight tackles for loss, three sacks, 30 run stops and 11 pressures. McDonald has a quick first step and the power to plow through gaps and disrupt the action in the backfield. A lot can happen between now and April, but McDonald will likely end up being a Top 3o

Other potential targets

The Buckeyes are stacked and have a few more prospects who could potentially be on Green Bay's radar on Day 3 of the draft. Luke Montgomery has started 15 games at left guard during his time as a Buckeye. He's also taken snaps at right guard and right tackle. Tegra Tshabola has started 29 games at right guard over the past two seasons for the Buckeyes and given up one sack and 24 pressures.

Beau Atkinson could be a late Day 3 target. The Ohio State defensive end and North Carolina transfer is a sturdy run defender. He enters the playoffs with 2.5 tackles for loss and one sack. During his two seasons at North Carolina, Atkinson recorded 16.5 tackles for loss, 11 sacks, 40 pressures and 41 run stops.

Why not get in on the Ohio State wide receiver pipeline? Brandon Inniss is crafty and has strong hands. He also brings special teams value as a return specialist.

This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Playoff Capsule: Ohio State prospects for Packers fans to watch

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