Ohio State football: How many Buckeyes will go in the first round of draft?
The Ohio State football team is sending some serious talent into the NFL in 2023. Here are a few first-round potential players.
The Ohio State football team always churns out talent in the NFL. The Buckeyes have had 81 players drafted in the first round of the NFL Draft, most by any school all-time. And that doesn’t even include the likes of receiver Jameson Williams and quarterback Joe Burrow, both of whom were developed in Columbus before transferring.
Ryan Day and his coaching staff sell recruits to Ohio State on getting them ready for the NFL. The Buckeyes have at least 12 players who expect to get drafted in 2023. But how many of them could be first-round picks and add to that all-time record? Let’s break it down.
C.J. Stroud-Quarterback
C.J. Stroud is a no-brainer first-round NFL Draft pick. Stroud has everything that NFL teams are looking for in a franchise player. Smart, durable, has good size, accuracy, and a big arm. He also has played in some big games while in Columbus and his last one, the Peach Bowl, may have been his best game wearing the Scarlet and Grey. Stroud will easily be a top-10 pick.
Parris Johnson Jr.-Offensive Tackle
Parris Johnson is also a no-doubt about it first-round pick. He might be the best overall pass blocker in all of college football and that is exactly what NFL teams look for in terms of a franchise left tackle. He also demonstrated excellent footwork while at Ohio State and he will make one NFL team very happy at the next level.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba- Wide Receiver
JSN’s season was a complete bust due to a hamstring injury. This 2022 season will go down as one of Ohio State’s big “what-ifs” in its history. But that shouldn’t change the fact that Smith-Njigba is one of the best receivers in college football and by playing a ton of reps in the slot in 2021, that should make NFL scouts drool over his ability. He more than likely will be a borderline first-round pick though because he didn’t play in 2022.
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Dawand Jones- Offensive Tackle
Jones is a mammoth human being at 6-foot-8, 360-pound but shows excellent athleticism for his size. Only playing right tackle at Ohio State might hurt his draft stock as Jones most likely falls as a day two pick, but his rare size alone might be enough for an NFL team drafting late in the first round to make the selection.