These three former Ohio State football players still need a place to play this season.
After having great success in college for the Ohio State football team, these three former Buckeyes stars remain on the open market deep into 2021 NFL free agency.
No program does a better job in the Big Ten of getting its top players drafted than Ohio State. It is a big reason why the Buckeyes continually dominate their Power 5 conference. However, not every former Buckeye standout is able achieve the same level of success in the NFL. For whatever reason, these three former Ohio State stars are without an NFL team heading into the summer.
Where could these three former Ohio State players end up playing this fall?
Ohio State football: 3 former Buckeyes stars who need a new NFL team
3
Gareon Conley
CB Houston Texans
Gareon Conley missed all of the 2020 NFL season with an ankle injury
Things have not gone well for Gareon Conley in his four-year NFL career out of Ohio State. He fell to the then-Oakland Raiders on draft night amid sexual assault claims. Though those claims were faulty, he did not stick with the Silver and Black. Conley was traded to the Houston Texans where he played eight games in 2019. He missed all of last season in Houston due to an ankle injury.
2
Malik Hooker
S Indianapolis Colts
Malik Hooker was limited to only two games in 2020 after tearing his Achilles
Malik Hooker was a promising safety prospect coming out fo Ohio State in 2017. Blessed with elite ball skills, he was never fully able to play up to his potential after being a first-round pick by the Indianapolis Colts. Still in his mid-20s, Hooker should still have some high-quality ball left in the tank. However, he missed all but two games last season after rupturing his Achilles tendon.
1
John Simon
DE New England Patriots
Good play tends to follow John Simon wherever he ends up signing
Defensive end John Simon is coming off his third season with the New England Patriots. He had one of his better seasons in the league, as he made 16 starts for New England, tying a career-high of 53 combined tackles. Though never much of a pass rusher, Simon has proven he can play winning football wherever he ends up signing. Even in his early 30s, he should be on a team soon.
Overall, injuries and a lack of productivity before that are why former Ohio State standouts like Conley and Hooker remain unsigned. As for Simon, it might be an age thing, but he has had easily the best NFL career of the three former Buckeyes stars finding themselves on this list. He did win a Super Bowl in his first year in New England in 2018. He has the best chance of any to get signed.
Here is to any of these three former Ohio State stars getting onto an NFL roster this season.
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