Who Were the Colts Scouting at Ohio State's Pro Day?

Quarterback C.J. Stroud was the star of the show, but who might the Indianapolis Colts have been showing special interest in at Ohio State's pro day this week?

Ohio State held its 2023 Pro Day on Wednesday, and Jake Arthur and I were live on the scene to cover the event for Horseshoe Huddle.

30 of the NFL's 32 teams had representatives in attendance, and the team currently on the clock, the Carolina Panthers, sent an 11-person group to watch quarterback C.J. Stroud and the Buckeyes.

The Indianapolis Colts took a more modest approach and elected only to send one representative, area scout Mike Lacy. With multiple likely Colts targets on hand, it was important to see who Lacy focused on to help point in the direction of who the Colts could be coveting.

Here are some thoughts on a few of the prospects Lacy likely had his eyes on.

C.J. Stroud

© Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK

Multiple top-tier NFL Draft prospects were on display on Wednesday, but none had more eyes on them than Stroud. One of the top QBs in this draft class started the day by electing not to run the 40-yard dash. During his media availability after practice, Stroud was asked about this decision by the Indy Star's Nate Atkins, where Stroud answered:

“I didn't think I needed to. I have enough on film where I can show; no team asked me to; if they would have, I would've. When I need to, I extend plays just as fine as anyone in the country. If not, you gotta watch the tape.”

After electing not to run the 40, Stroud was on the sideline, supporting his teammates for most of the day until the end of practice, where his throwing session was slated. Stroud’s throwing session showed exactly what he intended it to. He demonstrated every NFL throw imaginable and showed that he could throw while on the move when needed. Stroud’s session started off a bit rocky, as he sailed a few out routes and, when it came time for his first deep ball attempts to the left side of the field, he left the first two a bit short and overcorrected and threw the third out of reach of the receiver.

Going forward, though, Stroud corrected the errors, and when he moved into throwing between the numbers and to the right side of the field, he looked surgical. Pinpoint accuracy and robotic-like mechanics you do not usually see with college quarterbacks. And Ex-Colts head coach and current Panthers head coach seemed to enjoy every second of Stroud’s performance.

Zach Harrison

© Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK

Zach Harrison was the first player I noticed Lacy following as his session of drills moved around the field. Harrison also elected not to run the 40 after also not running it at the Scouting Combine last month. Speed isn't something being questioned about Harrison, though, who on tape shows off great speed and explosion out of his stance. Harrison showed off his ability to move between a vertical and lateral motion with ease and showed off his strength when working on the bags. His build, athleticism, and position versatility already made Harrison seem like a great fit with the Colts, but after seeing Lacy shadow him during his drills, he's a name to watch come draft time.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba

© Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK

The wide receiver was the loan top prospect to attempt the 40 on the day, and I saw one person clock him as fast as 4.46 and saw someone have a time as slow as 4.54. Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s time was a highly anticipated event of the day as the he elected not to attempt it at the Combine. It was a score that is more than respectable enough that should cement Smith-Njigba as a first-rounder come April. There were doubts around the league if his speed would be good enough to separate at the pro level. His performance yesterday probably puts the possibility of him falling out of the first and into the second round to bed.

Dawand Jones

© Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK

Offensive tackle Dawand Jones did not work out at the pro day. You’re probably asking yourself why is a prospect who didn't work out at all listed in this article. The reason is that as soon as the day was finished, Lacy made a point to go and find Jones and his family. The Colts recently had the Indiana native and Ben Davis grad in the building for a top-30 visit. This means the Colts have now had two chances along with the Combine to speak with Jones, face to face. This to date is the most attention that has been reported between the Colts with any draft prospect in this class.

For more information on Ohio State's pro day check out HH's notes from the day.

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