By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
BigPaulSportsBigPaulSports
Notification Show More
Latest News
Cam Ward has a message for NFL teams: 'If you don't draft me, that's your fault'
Cam Ward has a message for NFL teams: ‘If you don’t draft me, that’s your fault’
Game Analysis NFL
Lil Wayne defends Jordan Love, talks Lakers' championship on 'First Things First'
Lil Wayne defends Jordan Love, talks Lakers’ championship on ‘First Things First’
Game Analysis
5 ways to fix NBA All-Star Weekend after widely panned 2025 event
5 ways to fix NBA All-Star Weekend after widely panned 2025 event
Game Analysis
Can Lakers make a title run as sixth-best odds to win NBA Finals? | First Things First
Can Lakers make a title run as sixth-best odds to win NBA Finals? | First Things First
Game Analysis
Bucky Brooks’ Top 5 Super Bowl contenders sparks debate | First Things First
Bucky Brooks’ Top 5 Super Bowl contenders sparks debate | First Things First
Game Analysis NFL
Aa
  • Big Paul Sports
  • Services
  • Game Analysis
  • Free Picks
  • Premium Content
  • Registration
  • Member Login
Reading: Potential top-5 pick Stroud leaving OSU for NFL
Share
Aa
BigPaulSportsBigPaulSports
  • Big Paul Sports
  • Services
  • Game Analysis
  • Free Picks
  • Premium Content
  • Registration
  • Member Login
Search
  • Big Paul Sports
  • Services
  • Game Analysis
  • Free Picks
  • Premium Content
  • Registration
  • Member Login
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
BigPaulSports > Blog > NFL > Potential top-5 pick Stroud leaving OSU for NFL
NFLSports News

Potential top-5 pick Stroud leaving OSU for NFL

BigP
Last updated: 2023/01/16 at 9:31 PM
BigP Published January 16, 2023
Share
Potential top-5 pick Stroud leaving OSU for NFL
SHARE
11:45 AM ET

Contents
Editor’s PicksTop stories of the week from
  • Pete ThamelESPN

Ohio State junior quarterback C.J. Stroud has declared for the NFL draft, making his announcement on the final day that players can formally declare they are entering the 2023 draft.

Stroud projects as a consensus top-five player in the NFL draft, according to ESPN draft analysts. He’ll compete with Alabama‘s Bryce Young and Kentucky‘s Will Levis to be the top quarterback taken.

Stroud’s decision doesn’t come as much of a surprise, considering his standing. But as he waited to declare, hope grew among the Ohio State fan base that he could return for the 2023 season.

“The process has been difficult,” Stroud said in his announcement, “and the decision, one of the hardest I’ve ever had to make. As a kid, I dreamed of playing football at the highest level and after much prayer, I’ve made the decision that it’s time to turn those dreams into a reality.”

Editor’s Picks

By going to the NFL and becoming a top-five pick, he’s essentially guaranteed $35 million in his first contract.

Stroud, a two-time finalist for the Heisman Trophy, finishes his Ohio State career 21-4 as a starter and with 16 Ohio State passing and total offense records. He’s been consistently one of the most dynamic players in the sport the past two seasons, as he finished with 85 touchdown passes and 12 interceptions.

Stroud saved perhaps his most dynamic collegiate performance for his final game, considering the opponent and stakes, as he willed the Buckeyes to the cusp of upsetting Georgia in the College Football Playoff semifinals.

Stroud finished with four touchdown passes, no interceptions and 348 passing yards. He even showed some flashes of dynamism in the run game, rushing for 34 yards and showing a burst in picking up yardage with his feet at key junctures of the game. Ohio State missed a field goal at the buzzer and fell 42-41 to the eventual national champions.

Stroud will leave Ohio State as one of the program’s most dynamic quarterbacks and the program’s third consecutive starter to be a first-round pick, as Justin Fields went No. 11 overall in 2021 and Dwayne Haskins No. 15 in 2019. Before Ohio State head coach Ryan Day became quarterbacks coach in 2017, the program hadn’t had a quarterback selected in the first round since Art Schlichter in 1982.

Top stories of the week from

Get exclusive access to more than 3,000 premium articles a year from top writers.
• Goldsberry: Six NBA trends to watch »
• Clark: Updated NHL rookie rankings »
• Connelly: CFB season’s best games »
More ESPN+ content »

Stroud hinted at this outcome in the wake of Ohio State’s loss to Michigan earlier this season. He lost to the Wolverines in both of his starts against them and this year realized that would be part of his legacy at Ohio State, which led him to be torn about his decision.

“People are going to say I never won The Game, and I understand,” Stroud told reporters after November’s 45-23 loss. “People are going to say I never won a Big Ten championship. I understand. When it comes to that, I just have to eat it.”

Among the records Stroud will leave Ohio State with are total offense in a single game, as he accounted for 583 yards of total offense against Utah in last season’s Rose Bowl. He set five Rose Bowl records in that 48-45 win, including passing yards (573), touchdown passes (six) and points responsible for (36).

Sponsored Content

You Might Also Like

Cam Ward has a message for NFL teams: ‘If you don’t draft me, that’s your fault’

Bucky Brooks’ Top 5 Super Bowl contenders sparks debate | First Things First

Top 10 2025 NFL free-agent QBs: Aaron Rodgers or Russell Wilson?

2025 NFL Draft odds: Will Titans retain the No. 1 pick?

BigP January 16, 2023
Share this Article
Facebook Twitter Email Print

Follow US

Find US on Social Medias
Facebook Like
Twitter Follow
Youtube Subscribe
Telegram Follow
newsletter featurednewsletter featured

Weekly Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!

    Popular News
    What are the biggest questions facing new coach Dave Canales and the Panthers?
    NFLSports News

    What are the biggest questions facing new coach Dave Canales and the Panthers?

    BigP BigP January 25, 2024
    Bowl season takeaways: UAB, Troy win on the first day of bowl season
    ‘Starving for more’: Eagles QB Hurts eyes Year 4
    Sources: Rams tab Shula to replace Morris as DC
    Sources: Broncos to part with pass-rusher Clark
    - Advertisement -
    Ad imageAd image

    Categories

    • Sports

    About US

    We offer information and tips on US Sports and evernts all over the world.
    Top Categories
    • Game Analysis
    • Free Picks
    • Services
    • Premium Content

    Subscribe US

    Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!

      © Foxiz News Network. Ruby Design Company. All Rights Reserved.

      Removed from reading list

      Undo
      Welcome Back!

      Sign in to your account

      Lost your password?