Ohio State's Culture Turns Athletes Into NFL Draft Stars

When Men's Health fitness editor Brett Williams walked into Ohio State's weight room, he witnessed something he'd never seen in years of playing football: an entire team completely locked in on training.

Williams spent two days shadowing the Buckeyes' strength program last summer. What he found explains why five Ohio State players will attend the 2026 NFL Draft on April 23, with four projected as top-10 picks.

The difference starts with Coach Mickey Marotti, who's built a culture where every single workout ends with a competition. Everything gets measured, and players push themselves beyond what most college programs expect.

"I was there as a reporter and they knew somebody was watching, but they didn't care," Williams recalls. "Those guys were focused and grinding."

That level of dedication is rare even among professional athletes. Exercise physiologist Dr. Pat Davidson notes that many pro athletes show up late to workouts and leave early, but Ohio State's college players stay completely engaged.

The physical environment reinforces the culture. To enter the weight room, athletes walk through a trophy room. Hallways display photos of every Buckeye who made it to the NFL.

"It is a factory of motivation," Williams says.

The program accomplishes something many trainers struggle with: making athletes bigger without losing speed. Linebacker Sonny Styles and safety Caleb Downs both increased size while maintaining their natural quickness.

"The holy grail of training is to take a fast person and make them faster," Davidson explains. "Anyone can get someone stronger, but improving speed is incredibly difficult."

Ohio State supports this transformation with a full team of athletic trainers, doctors, and sport scientists. Players get access to the best talent development resources in college football.

The Ripple Effect

The program's success creates opportunities beyond just the five players attending the draft. Younger Buckeyes see teammates advancing to the NFL and believe they can follow the same path.

That culture of excellence has persisted since Marotti arrived in 2012, after previously coaching at Florida during the Tim Tebow era. He's proven the model works at multiple programs.

Williams, who played professional football in Germany, says the Ohio State experience showed him what's possible when culture meets talent. Regular gym-goers can apply the same principle: measure progress, add competition, and stay completely focused during workouts.

The 2026 draft will showcase Ohio State's latest success stories, but the real victory is building a system that consistently turns potential into professional careers.