Former Ohio State safety Josh Proctor saved perhaps his best collegiate season for last in 2023, racking up the eighth-most tackles on the team with 47.0 (four for loss), tying the team-high with eight pass breakups and adding one interception that was returned for a touchdown. Proctor’s performance helped earn the sixth-year veteran an invitation to the 2024 Senior Bowl on Dec. 5, an opportunity he made the most during Saturday’s contest held at Hancock-Whitney Stadium in Mobile, Ala.
Lining up at safety for the National Team — coached by New York Jets defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich — Proctor had a strong outing in his final game representing the Buckeyes. He played nearly every defensive snap and recorded four tackles, tied for the third most on the team, an effort that helped his squad secure a 16-7 victory over the American Team.
Proctor, who finished his six-year Ohio State career with 112 tackles (6.5 for loss), 17 pass breakups, three interceptions and a fumble recovery, may have improved his chances of earning a spot on an NFL roster in 2024 with his participation and production in the pre-draft senior showcase. According to NFLMockDraftDataBase, Proctor is slated to be picked in the sixth round of this year’s NFL Draft, with his overall ranking coming in at No. 185.
If Proctor is to be selected, he will be the first Ohio State defensive back to be drafted since 2021, when cornerback Shaun Wade was picked by the Baltimore Ravens in the fifth round.
Proctor was the only Buckeye to participate in the Senior Bowl, as former Ohio State defensive lineman Michael Hall Jr. did not play in Saturday night’s contest but participated in the week of practice. Like his former defensive teammate Proctor, Hall made the most of his reps in Mobile, Ala., as he was named as the top performing defensive lineman in practice by the offensive linemen who went up against him.
Proctor, Hall and the other eligible Buckeyes will now continue their preparation for this year’s NFL Draft, which will be held from April 25 to April 27 in Detroit.
