Ohio State Football: C.J. Stroud top QB in Mel Kiper mock draft

The Ohio State football team has put some great quarterback prospects into the NFL since Ryan Day came to Columbus. Both Dwayne Haskins and Justin Fields were first-round picks in their respective drafts. While Haskins didn’t pan out as a pro, Fields seems to be turning the corner.

C.J. Stroud is going to be the next quarterback from Ohio State to be taken in the first round. Where he goes is still up for debate and a matter of opinion. It’s very close between him and Bryce Young. It might come down to which organization wants to move up to take the first quarterback.

According to Mel Kiper’s mock draft 1.0 on ESPN, he has Stroud as the first QB off the board. He has Stroud going to Houston with the second overall pick. Young slides to number four to play for my Colts. Kiper rated Stroud based on his conversations with certain teams.

Kiper said on ESPN that it’s extremely close between the two, but based on conversations he’s hearing as of right now he’s giving the edge to Stroud. Stroud would be the highest Ohio State football player taken in the draft since Nick Bosa went second overall in 2019.

I think that no matter where Stroud goes, he can be successful. I think Stroud is the best quarterback prospect that the Buckeyes have had under Day. Fields had the tools to be the best overall player because of his arm strength and his running ability, but Stroud is the best pure quarterback.

What I mean by that is Stroud processes things very quickly. Not just that, but he can roll out and make accurate throws in tight windows. While not a runner, he showed against Georgia that he can still pick up yards if he absolutely has to. He also doesn’t hold onto the ball too long.

Personally, I hope Stroud slides down to four where the Colts can take him. I don’t want to have to face him in the AFC South for the next ten years so I’d rather him play for my team!