WATCH: Ohio State QB C.J. Stroud Impresses At NFL Combine
With the first pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, the [insert team here] selects C.J. Stroud, quarterback, Ohio State.
What used to be a dream might now be a reality.
Stroud will leave the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine as one of the biggest risers in terms of stock. From his testing numbers to accurate passes during throwing drills to interviews with teams, few will walk out of Lucas Oil Stadium needing more answers on the former Buckeyes' starter.
"C.J. Stroud is having one of the best throwing sessions I've seen at the Combine," NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah tweeted Saturday.
Stroud, a two-year starter and two-time Heisman finalist, did not participate in any measuring drills, including the 40-yard dash, three-cone drill and broad jump. Instead, scouts were tasked with watching for flaws during passing drills from all three phases.
While Alabama's Bryce Young might be the most NFL-ready passer in the class, Stroud made a case to be the top pick. The 6-3, 214-pound quarterback delivered quick, clean strikes across the middle of the field, and connected downfield with a multitude of receivers throughout his throwing session.
Balls rarely touched the ground. If they did, nine times out of 10, it was considered a drop rather than poor placement from the quarterback. Several fans chirped at pass-catchers for dropping balls, one even saying, "you gotta hold on" when Clemson's Jo Ngata let an easy pass fall through his hands during the over-the-shoulder drills on Saturday.
Jeremiah wasn't the only scout to praise Stroud's performance. ESPN draft analyst Matt Miller called Stroud the "least talked about QB in this class" but the "most fluid passer of them all."
Fellow ESPN draft analyst Jordan Reid said Stroud reminded him of "an ace pitcher" due to the naturalness and effortless throws. NFL.com's Eric Edholm said Stroud had a "very solid session" as well.
"You can put on my film, I think I've been the best player in college football two years in a row," Stroud said Friday. "And I think I've consistently done that, and I think, honestly, that I haven't even touched my potential yet. I think that I have a lot more to get better at.
"But I have a lot more to prove, not only to y'all but to myself. And that's something that I plan to do because I honestly don't think that I've even got close to anything in college yet. So I'm excited to see what I'll do in the NFL."
In two seasons at Ohio State, Stroud threw for 8,100 yards and 85 touchdowns against 12 interceptions. Last season, he led all FBS quarterbacks in passer rating (177.6) and finished second in touchdowns (41) behind USC's Caleb Williams.
Entering the week, Stroud was projected to be selected within the top 10. That projection remains the same, though it seems as if the former Buckeye could have guaranteed his status as a consensus top-five pick.
Early suitors expected to be in play for Stroud include the Houston Texans at No. 2, the Indianapolis Colts at No. 4, the Seattle Seahawks at No. 5, the Detroit Lions at No. 6, the Las Vegas Raiders at No. 7, and the Carolina Panthers at No. 9. Several teams also could explore trade avenues with the Chicago to move up to No. 1 prior to April 27.
Stroud will have the opportunity to be the first Buckeye since Orlando Pace in 1997 to be selected No. 1 overall. In the history of the NFL draft, no Ohio State quarterback has been drafted with the first pick.
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