CJ Stroud And 3 Best Ohio State Football NFL Draft Prospects

Ohio State will as soon as once more ship a number of prospects to the 2023 NFL draft. Alongside CJ Stroud, a number of gamers may very well be taken within the first spherical and past.

With a visit to the faculty soccer playoffs nonetheless on the horizon, Ohio State gamers might nonetheless elevate their draft inventory much more. In the mean time, a minimum of three of them have all however secured a spot within the first spherical, with extra anticipated to go on day two.

In latest historical past, Ohio State has been among the many most well-represented colleges within the nation on the draft. Since 2020, they’ve had 25 gamers chosen, together with six within the first spherical.

Now, with the prospects that they’ve headed to the 2023 NFL draft, Ohio State will see this quantity enhance much more. Alongside CJ Stroud, listed here are three of the highest Ohio State prospects

Paris Johnson, Sort out

Ohio State’s Paris Johnson is among the many finest offensive line prospects within the 2023 NFL draft. And with how he performed all through this season, he’ll seemingly be one of many first names referred to as on draft day.

After taking part in sparingly in 2020, Johnson burst onto the scene in 2021. Whereas showing in 13 video games, he performed 768 whole offensive snaps. When on the sector, he was close to good, permitting only one quarterback hit, 13 quarterback hurries, and 0 sacks on 461 run-blocking performs.

This previous season, Johnson has managed to look higher in practically each means for Ohio State. In 9 video games, whereas taking part in in 757 offensive snaps, he allowed only one sack, zero quarterback hits, and 9 whole pressures.

Johnson can step in and begin from day one within the NFL. Given he falls to the appropriate staff, he will probably be a powerful choice at sort out as quickly as he steps onto the sector.

Zach Harrison, EDGE

Ohio State’s Zach Harrison has confirmed himself to be among the finest edge threats within the nation. And with a powerful playoff, and a superb exhibiting on the NFL mix, he might even sneak into the primary spherical.

Harrison made his presence felt from day one at Ohio State. The previous five-star recruit performed in 10 video games throughout his freshman season, totaling 24 whole tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, and three.5 sacks.

Throughout his sophomore season, Harrison put collectively one other sturdy marketing campaign. Over seven video games, he recorded 14 whole tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, and two sacks.

Following his sophomore marketing campaign, Harrison totally established himself within the protection. Over the previous two years, he has been an elite presence off the sting.

With 24 video games performed during the last two seasons, Harrison was on the sector for a complete of 993 defensive snaps. In flip, he recorded 9 sacks, seven quarterback hits, and 43 quarterback hurries based on PFF.

Harrison seemingly received’t be one of many first names referred to as in the course of the draft, however he’ll make an influence wherever he lands.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR

Heading into the 2022 season, Jaxon Smith-Njigba was anticipated to be the primary large receiver taken within the draft. Sadly, accidents restricted Smith-Njigba, main him to play in simply three video games this season.

Earlier than declaring for the NFL draft, Smith-Njigba recorded simply 5 receptions for 43 receiving yards on the season.

However his 2022 season doesn’t inform the entire story. Throughout the 2021 season, Smith-Njigba put collectively one of many strongest seasons of all time for a large receiver.

Whereas taking part in alongside two future first-round picks in Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson, it was Smith-Njigba who led Ohio State via the air. He completed the marketing campaign recording 95 receptions for 1,606 receiving yards and 9 touchdowns.

Smith-Njigba isn’t the quickest participant on the sector, however he can beat the protection in a number of other ways. His route operating permits him to get open early and infrequently, resulting in him making massive performs down the sector.

Based mostly on the latest success of Ohio State move catchers, Smith-Njigba will seemingly make an prompt influence on the subsequent degree.

CJ Stroud, QB

CJ Stroud has cemented himself as the subsequent nice Ohio State quarterback. Throughout his two seasons because the QB1, he has seemed like arguably the best quarterback within the faculty’s historical past.

In 2021, Stroud took the sector in 12 video games. He threw for 4,435 yards, 44 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions whereas main them to a Rose Bowl victory over Utah.

Now, in 2022, Stroud has his eyes set on the Nationwide Championship. And he has had a marketing campaign worthy of being one of many first quarterbacks taken within the NFL draft.

Heading into the faculty soccer playoff, Stroud has performed in 12 whole video games. Even with much less expertise surrounding him than the seasons prior, Stroud nonetheless stuffed the stat sheet. He has thrown for 3,340 yards, 37 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions on the season.

Stroud himself suits the mildew of the pocket passer. He finds success with out utilizing his legs, not often seeking to run the ball down the sector. And but he has nonetheless placed on massive performances usually. Based mostly on what he has already executed, he’ll seemingly be a top-five choice.