clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

2023 NFL Draft Prospect Report: Ohio Bobcats

An intriguing prospect on the offense highlights Ohio’s Pro Day, which had six total participants.

Barstool Sports Arizona Bowl - Wyoming v Ohio Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images

Below, we’ve assembled measurements, draft projections and Relative Athletic Scores of every participant, with an individualized elevator pitch for every player to give an idea of their production and/or projection. All numbers are courtesy of Kent Lee Platte’s numbers atRAS.footballandDraftScout.com,where appropriate.

(Note: offensive lineman Hagan Meservy did not work out at Pro Day due to an elbow injury, and is therefore unlisted.)


James Bostic

COLLEGE FOOTBALL: SEP 10 Ohio at Penn State Photo by Gregory Fisher/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

James Bostic was one of the Bobcats’ most unique players in 2022, becoming a versatile weapon for Kurtis Rourke down the division title run stretch. Capable of playing receiver, tight end and H-back, the former Vanderbilt Commodore finished the 2022 season with 21 receptions for 434 yards and one touchdown.

The raw numbers are admittedly small, but context is important here. His use was much different than that of fellow Power Five transfer Sam Wiglusz, but his role was very important; he averaged 20.3 yards per catch, showing himself to be capable of being a true vertical threat. Helping his case is his Relative Athletic Score, which was over eight points (on a scale of 10) at three different positions.

Likely will be a UDFA or camp invitation.

Measurables (as of Vanderbilt Pro Day)

  • Height:six-foot-four
  • Weight:233 lbs.
  • Arms:32 and five-eighth inches
  • Hands:9 and three-eighth inches

Skill Drills (numbers from Vanderbilt Pro Day)

  • 40-yard dash:4.56 seconds
  • 10-yard split:1.62 seconds
  • 20-yard split:2.57 seconds
  • Shuttle:4.52 seconds
  • Three-cone drill:7.38 seconds
  • Vertical jump:39 inches
  • Broad jump:11 feet, 10 inches

Relative Athletic Score (at receiver, tight end and H-back)


Kai Caesar

COLLEGE FOOTBALL: SEP 04 Syracuse at Ohio Photo by Gregory Fisher/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Kai Caesar proved to be a leader in his time at Ohio, plugging in the all-important run gap in the interior of the defensive line. An undersized defensive tackle with a big motor who played four different positions in high school, Caesar was a five-year contributor for the Bobcats, finishing his career with 86 tackles for 11 tackles-for-loss and 8.5 sacks.

His marquee season was this past year, where 12.5 of his 29 total tackles resulted in a loss of yards thanks to seven TFLs and 5.5 sacks. A team captain for two years and a MAC Honor Roll selection, Caesar is a great locker room presence any team would love to have.

Likely projects as a camp invitation or spring league signing.

Measurables (as of Pro Day)

  • Height:six-foot-two
  • Weight:318 lbs.
  • Arms:31 and three-fourth inches
  • Hands:9 and five-eighth inches

Skill Drills (numbers from Pro Day)

  • 40-yard dash:5.14 seconds
  • 10-yard split:1.85 seconds
  • 20-yard split:2.96 seconds
  • Shuttle:4.95 seconds
  • Three-cone drill:7.81 seconds
  • Vertical jump:30 inches
  • Broad jump:eight feet, 11 inches

Relative Athletic Score:

Kai Caesar’s Relative Athletic Score
Kent Lee Platte

Tariq Drake

NCAA Football: Ohio at Northwestern David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

Tariq Drake was a five-year contributor for the Bobcats, getting his start primarily on special teams as a reserve cornerback before bursting onto the scene in 2021 as a free safety, with a campaign which earned him third-team all-MAC honors for a 48 tackle, three interception effort.

2022 saw similar production, finishing with 51 tackles for four passes defensed and three interceptions en route to another third-team all-MAC selection. An instinctual player with good cover skills, Drake was also unafraid of contact, rarely missing on attempts. He’s a high-effort player who can make up for physical limitations with decent speed and football IQ.

Measurables (as of Pro Day)

  • Height:six-foot-even
  • Weight:186 lbs.
  • Arms:31 and one-half inches
  • Hands:8 and three-eighth inches

Skill Drills (numbers from Pro Day)

  • 40-yard dash:4.6 seconds
  • 10-yard split:1.65seconds
  • 20-yard split:2.61 seconds
  • Shuttle:4.52 seconds
  • Three-cone drill:6.96seconds
  • Vertical jump:33.5 inches
  • Broad jump:nine feet, 10 inches

Relative Athletic Score:

Tariq Drake’s Relative Athletic Score
Kent Lee Platte

Alvin Floyd

Ohio v Iowa State Photo by David K Purdy/Getty Images

Alvin Floyd is a Bobcat through and through; a five-year contributor at safety who played in all 52 games he was eligible for, Floyd was a locker room leader whose play at strong safety set the tone in the defensive backfield.

A starter over his final two seasons for the Green and White, Floyd finished the 2022 campaign with 74 tackles, five tackles-for-loss and two sacks, with an interception and five passes defensed. His raw numbers aren’t promising, but he does have decent burst which has helped put him in position for several plays in his career.

Likely will be a camp invitation or spring league signing.

Measurables (as of Pro Day)

  • Height:five-foot-10
  • Weight:189 lbs.
  • Arms:29 and one-half inches
  • Hands:8 and one-half inches

Skill Drills (numbers from Pro Day)

  • 40-yard dash:4.61 seconds
  • 10-yard split:1.63 seconds
  • 20-yard split:2.69 seconds
  • Shuttle:4.46 seconds
  • Three-cone drill:7.01 seconds
  • Vertical jump:34.5 inches
  • Broad jump:Nine feet, 11 inches

Relative Athletic Score:


Julian Ross

COLLEGE FOOTBALL: SEP 08 Ohio at Purdue Photo by Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

在俄亥俄州,朱利安·罗斯有一个上下的职业生涯when he was on, he was an eager contributor who gave the ‘Cats a unique piece for their offensive gameplan. Ross missed a majority or all of 2018, 2020 and 2021 due to injuries or redshirt, but when he was on the field, he was a contributor as a primary change-of-pace back— and was voted a team captain three years in a row despite his injuries.

His best season on record was his freshman campaign in 2017, when he ran for three touchdowns on 56 carries for 241 yards. Ross averaged 4.1 yards per carry on his healthy runs, and also serviced as an excellent returner, with two touchdowns and an average return of 29 yards.

Likely a camp invitation or spring league signing.

Measurables (as of Pro Day)

  • Height:five-foot-nine
  • Weight:210 lbs.
  • Arms:30 and five-eighth inches
  • Hands:9 and one-quarter inches

Skill Drills (numbers from Pro Day)

  • 40-yard dash:4.81 seconds
  • 10-yard split:1.77 seconds
  • 20-yard split:2.76 seconds
  • Shuttle:4.72 seconds
  • Three-cone drill:7.51 seconds
  • Vertical jump:37 inches
  • Broad jump:10 feet, one inch

Relative Athletic Score:

Julian Ross’ Relative Athletic Score
Kent Lee Platte

Zach Sanders

Ohio v Penn State Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images

Zach Sanders was an immediate impact transfer from FCS Missouri State, who finished fifth on the team in tackles (61) as a cornerback, including 2.5 tackles-for-loss and a sack, while tying for the team lead in interceptions (3) with Tariq Drake.

At Missouri State, Sanders was a team captain in the 2020-21 season who had registered as a reserve back since 2018, registering 23 tackles and four pass break-ups in 2021 as a starter.

Likely a camp invitation or spring league signing.

Measurables (as of Pro Day)

  • Height:five-foot-nine
  • Weight:189 lbs.
  • Arms:30 inches
  • Hands:9 inches

Skill Drills (numbers from Pro Day)

  • 40-yard dash:4.75 seconds
  • 10-yard split:1.64 seconds
  • 20-yard split:2.7 seconds
  • Shuttle:4.72 seconds
  • Three-cone drill:6.83 seconds
  • Vertical jump:36 inches
  • Broad jump:nine feet, 11 inches

Relative Athletic Score:

Zach Sanders’ Relative Athletic Score
Kent Lee Platte