COLUMBUS, Ohio – Johnathan Hankins is the first Ohio State Buckeye to be selected in the 2013 NFL Draft, being held at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. Friday night the 6-3, 322-pound defensive lineman was chosen in the second round with the 49th overall pick by the New York Giants.
The native of Dearborn Heights, Mich., and Southeastern High School was the fourth player from the Big Ten Conference chosen, after first-round offensive lineman Travis Frederick of Wisconsin (No. 31 overall to Dallas), defensive tackle Kawann Short of Purdue (No. 44 overall to Carolina) and running back Le’veon Bell of Michigan State (No. 48 overall to Pittsburgh). Hankins credited his three years at Ohio State for preparing him for this day and for those to come as a professional football player.
During a conference call with the New York media after he was chosen, Hankins said of his college career at Ohio State: “It helped me tremendously from just a physical aspect to my weight to getting me stronger. (Also) when it came to the game and just watching film and knowing what offenses are going to do before the play is going to happen. Just the tradition there in getting guys to the league is a great asset for me (and) prepared me well.”
Hankins, who is 21, is the 83rd Buckeye to be selected in the NFL Draft since 2000 – Ohio State has the most draft picks of any school since 2000 – and he is the 328th Buckeye all-time to hear his name called in the NFL Draft.
Hankins appeared in 38 games the past three years and started every game in 2011 and 2012 – 25 total. He was fourth on the team in tackles in 2011 with 67 stops, including 11 tackles-for-loss (-24 yards), and this past season he ranked fifth with 55 tackles, including 4.0 TFLs (-22). He was named all-Big Ten Conference and a first-team All-American by FoxSportsNEXT.com.
Hankins wrapped up his Ohio State career with 138 tackles (58 solos; 80 assists), including 16.5 TFLs (-55 yards) and five quarterback sacks. He was a member of four prestigious award/trophy watch during the 2012 season – the Lombardi, Outland, Bednarik and Nagurski.
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11 First-Rounders for Urban Meyer
Coach Urban Meyer has now had 11 of his former players selected in the first round of the NFL Draft. Thursday evening two of his Florida Gators – defensive lineman Shariff Floyd and safety Matt Elam – were selected in the first round by Minnesota and Seattle, respectively.
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Urban Meyer 1st-Round NFL Draft Picks
| Year | No. | Pos. | Name, Team |
| 2013 | 23 | DL | Shariff Floyd, Minnesota |
| 2013 | 32 | S | Matt Elam, Baltimore |
| 2011 | 15 | OL | Mike Pouncey, Miami Dolphins |
| 2010 | 7 | CB | Joe Haden, Cleveland Browns |
| 2010 | 18 | C | Maurkice Pouncey, Pittsburgh Steelers |
| 2010 | 25 | QB | Tim Tebow, Denver Broncos |
| 2009 | 22 | R/RB | Percy Harvin, Minnesota Vikings |
| 2008 | 8 | DE | Derrick Harvey, Jacksonville Jaguars |
| 2007 | 17 | DE | Jarvis Moss, Denver Broncos |
| 2007 | 21 | S | Reggie Nelson, Jacksonville Jaguars |
| 2005 | 1 | QB | Alex Smith, San Francisco |
