Seven 270 Gridiron alums have clinched a spot in the NFL playoffs, with Wild Card Weekend beginning this Saturday. Here's a look at everyone from Columbus competing for a trip to Super Bowl LIX.

 LB Brian Asamoah, Columbus St. Francis DeSales (Vikings)

Class: 2018

Asamoah is in his third season with the Vikings, appearing in 14 games this season. He played in 37 games between 2019 and 2021, totaling 179 tackles, 13 tackles-for-loss, and 5 sacks in his college career at Oklahoma University. At DeSales, he ranked as one of the best linebackers in Ohio with 36 tackles, and doubling as a running back with over 1,600 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns. Asamoah started his annual youth football camp in the summer of 2023, and has participated in several other charitable efforts throughout his time in the league. The Vikings will head to Los Angeles to face the Rams in the wild card round next Monday at 8PM ET on ABC.

DT DeWayne Carter, Pickerington Central (Bills)

Class: 2019

Selected in the third round (95th overall) in last April's NFL Draft, Carter is one of three Bills from Central Ohio who will be taking on the Denver Broncos on Sunday afternoon. Carter has played in 11 games for Buffalo in his rookie year, tallying 11 total tackles. Carter was a two-time team captain at Duke University, and collected plenty of league, district, and state awards during his days as a Pickerington Central Tiger, including a state title in 2017.

EDGE Jonathan Cooper, Gahanna Lincoln (Broncos)

Class: 2016

In November, Cooper was signed to a massive 4-year, $60 million extension, keeping him in Denver through the 2028 season. Cooper was only a seventh round pick out of Ohio State in 2021, but he has  developed into a house hold name in the Broncos front seven. Cooper has played in all 17 games in back-to-back seasons. He has 190 total tackles in his career to go with 23.5 sacks. In yesterday's win over Kansas City, Cooper had two tackles and a sack. Cooper makes his playoff debut against the Bills on Sunday at 1PM ET on CBS.

S Darrick Forrest Jr., Walnut Ridge (Commanders)

Class: 2017

Forrest is one of two Walnut Ridge alums in the playing postseason football. The Commanders defensive back was drafted in the fifth round out of the University of Cincinnati in 2021. He was a first-team all-conference in his final year at Cincinnati, and totaled 200 tackles, six interceptions, and 12 pass break-ups in his college career. At Walnut Ridge, Forrest made the All-Central District team as a two-way athlete, and was ranked as a three star recruit coming out of Columbus. Washington will travel to Tampa to take on the Buccaneers on Sunday at 8PM ET on NBC.

TE Reggie Gilliam, Westland (Bills)

Class:  2015

Bills veteran Gilliam has made several trips back to his Westland roots over the years where he has given back to the football program, as well as the rest of the Southwest Columbus area. His charitable efforts have also left a mark in the Western New York area, where he's played professionally since 2020. Gilliam went undrafted out of Toledo, but has found a role with the team as a fullback/tight end for five seasons now. Gilliam was first-team OCC at Westland with 845 all-purpose yards as a senior, before walking on at UT in 2016.

LB Malik Harrison, Walnut Ridge (Ravens)

Class: 2016

One of Columbus' most exciting athletes of his generation, Harrison has put together a great career as a linebacker for the Ravens. The 2020 third round selection from Ohio State has 174 tackles for his career -- 54 of which came this season. Harrison has had the best season of his career thus far, setting career-highs in just about every stat category. Harrison and the Ravens will host the Steelers on Saturday at 8PM ET on Amazon's Prime Video streaming service. It will be his 6th NFL playoff game of his career.

EDGE Dawuane Smoot, Groveport Madison (Bills)

Class: 2013

Drafted in 2017, Smoot is one of the most tenured current players from Central Ohio. He's in his first season with the Bills after spending the first seven years of his career in Jacksonville. Smoot has totaled 149 tackles and 25 sacks in his career. At Illinois, he had 56 tackles, 15 tackles-for-loss, and five sacks. As a senior at Groveport Madison, he had 91 tackles, 14 sacks, and forced five fumbles, good enough to put him on the OCC first-team and All-Metro second-team.