2024 NFL Draft Prospect Report: Ohio Bobcats

Ohio v Penn State — Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images

Several notable Bobcats, including two all-MAC award performers, worked out in front of scouts hoping for an NFL opportunity.

After a solid 10-win season, Ohio had a bevy of draft prospects work out for their Pro Day in late March. Despite NFL Draft Scout having Pro Day results from eight prospects, limited coverage is available from the event.

However, there is still plenty to take away from the event based on NFL Draft Scout records and Relative Athletic Score Results, which are used below with the express written permission of RAS’ creator Kent Lee Platte.

CB Justin Birchette

Elevator Pitch:

Despite his small five-foot-eight, 177-lb frame, Justin Birchette is an exceptional ball hawk. Birchette broke up 22 passes in his Ohio career, including nine last season on a defense that allowed 15 points per game. Birchette may be undersized, but other undersized corners have thrived in the NFL, such as Brent Grimes.

Draft Projections:

Not available

Measurables (as of Pro Day):

Height: Five-foot-eight
Weight: 177 lbs
Hand: 08 3/4 inches
Arm: 30 ³⁄₄ inches
Wingspan: 73 5/8 inches

Skill Drill Numbers (as of Pro Day):

40-Yrd Dash: 4.52 seconds
20-Yrd Split: 2.65 seconds
10-Yrd Split: 1.59 seconds
225 Lb. Bench Reps: 6
Vertical Jump: 35.5 inches
Broad Jump: Ten feet, seven inches
20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.22 seconds
3-Cone Drill: 7.07 seconds

Relative Athletic Score:

RAS Comparisons:

Trojan Bandy (2020)
Devin Guice (2022)
Ronald Zamort (2016)

DE/OLB Shane Bonner

NCAA Football: Arizona Bowl-Wyoming at Ohio

Elevator Pitch:

Like Birchette, Shane Bonner is also undersized, measuring five-foot-11, 216 lbs. as a defensive end. However, this did not stop him from being a force in the front seven this past season, racking up 8.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks. His natural ability and speed could allow him to make waves on special teams.

Draft Projections:

Not available

Measurables (as of Pro Day):

Height: Five-foot-eleven
Weight: 216 lbs
Hand: nine and one-half inches
Arm: 30 and three-quarter inches
Wingspan: 75 inches

Skill Drill Numbers (as of Pro Day):

40-Yrd Dash: 4.79 seconds
20-Yrd Split: 2.73 seconds
10-Yrd Split: 1.62 seconds
225 Lb. Bench Reps: 18
Vertical Jump: 35 inches
Broad Jump: 10 feet, two inches
20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.35 seconds
3-Cone Drill: 6.99 seconds

Relative Athletic Score:

RAS Comparisons:

Phillip Hunt (2009)
J.T. Jones (2017)
Jose Ramirez (2023)

LB Bryce Houston

Elevator Pitch:

Bryce Houston was arguably the second-best defensive player in the MAC last season. Houston totaled 127 tackles with 12.5 of those coming behind the line of scrimmage and also intercepted three passes in 2023, earning all-MAC honors. It was his second season with more than 100 tackles and his second with at least 10 tackles for loss. Houston is also undersized at five-foot-11, 240 lbs., but has a nose for the football that one cannot teach. Like Bonner, Houston will likely have to make contributions on special teams before working his way to a defensive lineup.

Draft Projections:

Not available

Measurables (as of Pro Day):

Height: Five-foot-eleven
Weight: 240 lbs
Hand: Nine and one-quarter inches
Arm: 31 inches
Wingspan: 77 and one-quarter inches

Skill Drill Numbers (as of Pro Day):

40-Yrd Dash: 4.85 seconds
20-Yrd Split: 2.76 seconds
10-Yrd Split: 1.66 seconds
225 Lb. Bench Reps: 23
Vertical Jump: 33 and one-half inches
Broad Jump: Nine feet, seven inches
20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.49 seconds
3-Cone Drill: 7.22 seconds

Relative Athletic Score:

RAS Comparisons:

Lance Briggs (2003)
Tyler Matakevich (2016)
Scooby Wright (2016)

DT Rodney Mathews

Elevator Pitch:

At 311 pounds, Rodney Mathews brings phenomenal size to an interior defensive line. Mathews was disruptive in his Ohio career, finishing with 71 career tackles and 14.5 TFLs, including seven in 2022. Mathews could contribute immediately in either a 3-4 or 4-3 scheme.

Draft Projections:

Not available

Measurables (as of Pro Day):

Height: Six-foot-one
Weight: 311 lbs
Hand: nine and one-quarter inches
Arm: 31 and one-quarter inches
Wingspan: 76 and three-quarter inches

Skill Drill Numbers (as of Pro Day):

40-Yrd Dash: 5.32 seconds
20-Yrd Split: 3.03 seconds
10-Yrd Split: 1.83 seconds
225 Lb. Bench Reps: 28
Vertical Jump: 26 and one-half inches
Broad Jump: Eight feet, seven inches
20 Yrd Shuttle: 5.09 seconds
3-Cone Drill: 7.62 seconds

Relative Athletic Score:

RAS Comparisons:

Paul Boyette (2017)
Kyle Love (2010)
Jesse Mahelona (2006)

SAF Walter Reynolds

NCAA Football: Myrtle Beach Bowl-Georgia Southern at Ohio

Elevator Pitch:

With 12 career interceptions across his career at Holy Cross and Ohio, Walter Reynolds proved he has legitimate playmaking ability in the defensive backfield. Reynolds made the big step to competing against FBS competition in 2023, and made 71 tackles and intercepted two passes, including one in the Myrtle Beach Bowl.

Draft Projections:

Not available

Measurables (as of Pro Day):

Height: Six-feet
Weight: 197 lbs
Hand: nine inches
Arm: 29 and five-eighth inches
Wingspan: 74 inches

Skill Drill Numbers (as of Pro Day):

40-Yrd Dash: 4.55 seconds
20-Yrd Split: 2.63 seconds
10-Yrd Split: 1.56 seconds
225 Lb. Bench Reps: nine
Vertical Jump: 29 and one-half inches
Broad Jump: Nine feet, eight inches
20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.55 seconds
3-Cone Drill: 7.03 seconds

Relative Athletic Score:

RAS Comparisons:

Keith Taylor (1987)
Virgil Williams (2004)
Dymonte Thomas (2017)

DE Kwame Sutton

Elevator Pitch:

Kwame Sutton is a defensive end that always requires the attention of offensive linemen. In his career at Ohio and Austin Peay, Sutton had 22.5 TFLs and 12 sacks. However, like several of his Bobcat counterparts, he is undersized with a 5’11” 249-lb frame. Also like several of his Bobcat counterparts, Sutton has natural pass rush skills that will help him at the next level.

Draft Projections:

Not available

Measurables (as of Pro Day):

Height: Five-feet-eleven-inches
Weight: 249 lbs
Hand: eight and three-quarter inches
Arm: 31 and one-half inches
Wingspan: 77 and one-quarter inches

Skill Drill Numbers (as of Pro Day):

40-Yrd Dash: 4.77 seconds
20-Yrd Split: 2.72 seconds
10-Yrd Split: 1.62 seconds
225 Lb. Bench Reps: 28
Vertical Jump: 31 inches
Broad Jump: Nine feet, three inches
20 Yrd Shuttle: N/A
3-Cone Drill: N/A

Relative Athletic Score:

RAS Comparisons:

Elvis Dumervil (2006)
Avery Ellis (2017)
T.J.. Fatinikun (2013)

Vonnie Watkins, DE

NCAA Football: Mid-American Championship-Toledo at Ohio

Elevator Pitch:

Vonnie Watkins wreaked havoc up the middle for Ohio the past two seasons, with 22 tackles-for-loss and 9.5 sacks, including 14 TFLs in 2022. Watkins could find his start on special teams, but his pass rush ability is promising.

Draft Projections:

Not available

Measurables (as of Pro Day):

Height: Six-foot-four
Weight: 237 lbs
Hand: 10 inches
Arm: 32 and five-eighth inches
Wingspan: 79 and one-quarter inches

Skill Drill Numbers (as of Pro Day):

40-Yrd Dash: 4.85 seconds
20-Yrd Split: 2.76 seconds
10-Yrd Split: 1.65 seconds
225 Lb. Bench Reps: 8
Vertical Jump: 35 and one-half inches
Broad Jump: 10 feet, four inches
20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.55 seconds
3-Cone Drill: 7.50 seconds

Relative Athletic Score:

RAS Comparisons:

Israel Ifeanyi (1996)
Ricky Shaw (1988)
Marcus Stripling (2024)

Sam Wiglusz, WR

COLLEGE FOOTBALL: SEP 09 Ohio at Florida Atlantic

Elevator Pitch:

Sam Wiglusz was Ohio’s trusty slot receiver the past two seasons after transferring from Ohio State. Wiglusz broke out immediately, catching 73 passes for 877 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2022. The next campaign saw a slight regression, but he still put up a respectable 56/660/3 statline. Wiglusz’ durability and ability to get open will land him an opportunity as an undrafted free agent.

Draft Projections:

Not available

Measurables (as of Pro Day):

Height: Five-feet-eleven
Weight: 189 lbs
Hand: eight and three-eighth inches
Arm: 30 and one-quarter inches
Wingspan: 71 inches

Skill Drill Numbers (as of Pro Day):

40-Yrd Dash: 4.62 seconds
20-Yrd Split: 2.68 seconds
10-Yrd Split: 1.63 seconds
225 Lb. Bench Reps: 11
Vertical Jump: 32 and one-half inches
Broad Jump: Nine feet, 10 inches
20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.31 seconds
3-Cone Drill: 6.94 seconds

Relative Athletic Score:

RAS Comparisons:

David Anderson (2006)
Aaron Fuller (2020)
Gabe Marks (2017)