What makes Jeremy Ruckert intriguing NFL draft prospect

The NFL draft is right around the corner, and Ohio State once again has players from nearly every position with pro potential. Lettermen Row is breaking down each former Buckeyes star — and what makes them a valuable choice on draft night. We’re rolling along in the series with productive and intriguing tight end Jeremy Ruckert.

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COLUMBUS — Jeremy Ruckert had reasons to stick with what he knew at Ohio State.

Ruckert was a tantalizing prospect out of high school, one who stretched the field and caused problems in matchups for defenses due to his size out wide. But that’s not what the Buckeyes recruited him for — and he’s thankful for that.

Ruckert chose to lean into the Buckeyes definition of a tight end, becoming a complete player who could line up at the line of scrimmage and help in the run game while being a capable option in the passing game.

That’s exactly why he wanted to be at Ohio State in the first place.

“I knew if I came here, I wouldn’t be able to get on the field if I didn’t learn how to pass protect and run block,” Ruckert said during his Ohio State career. “I think learning how to do those two things the last couple years has been crucial in developing me as a player.

“I mean, the goal was obviously to make it to the next level. And if you’re a one-dimensional player, there’s only so many things you can do. So, with all the cuts they have and the small rosters they have [in the NFL], I think coming to a place like this to develop into a complete tight end was the best option for that.”

Ruckert wasn’t able to showcase his skills at the combine due to a lingering foot injury. But that won’t hold him back from being a mid-round steal for an NFL team looking for a tight end. Lettermen Row is breaking down what makes Ruckert fit at the next level.

Jeremy Ruckert is talented pass-catching tight end

There’s a reason Jeremy Ruckert was one of the top two tight ends in the 2018 recruiting class, and it certainly wasn’t due to his blocking talent in high school. Ruckert was a de facto wide receiver at Lindenhurst High School in New York. The Buckeyes recruited him knowing he could become a capable blocker, but they saw his elite ability to catch the ball and run routes. He further proved he has that skill during his time at Ohio State. Ruckert caught 54 passes for 615 yards and 12 touchdowns in four years with the Buckeyes, solid numbers at a position Ohio State doesn’t utilize often in its passing game. His pass-catching will translate to the NFL, as the league continues to utilize its tight ends in versatile passing ways.

Jeremy Ruckert developed into capable blocker at Ohio State

Ruckert could have resisted the Buckeyes attempts to make him an all-around weapon at tight end. He was an incredible pass-catcher out of high school and had a chance to become even better if he was a field-stretching tight end at Ohio State. But that’s not how the Buckeyes used their tight ends, and that’s not what Jeremy Ruckert wanted for his long-term future. Ruckert gained wait with the help of the Ohio State training and strength staff. He bulked up and became a skilled blocker at the line of scrimmage, further showing he can do the dirty work that makes NFL tight ends so good. In four years, he took huge leaps forward in his blocking ability, making him one of the most complete prospects at his position in this draft.

NFL teams still can help Ruckert develop further

With his elite ability as a pass-catcher and willingness to be a blocker in the trenches, Ruckert will be an intriguing prospect for NFL teams. The best part about his pro potential? It’s still based on just that: potential. Ruckert has been blocking for just a few years. He wasn’t asked to in high school, and he became a solid blocking option in college. He can only get better at it. Couple the still rising potential with the skillset he already possesses, and the NFL team that drafts him should be thrilled to get a young player on a rookie contract with plenty of upside to keep improving. Simply put, all the factors around him make Ruckert a top option for teams that need a tight end to help their roster now — and in the future.