Six Ohio State Buckeyes drafted in 2023.

Quarterback C.J. Stroud had been taken with the second pick in the 2023 NFL Draft to the Houston Texans after many people thought he would drop after scoring a %18 on his cognition test. He was the highest drafted QB in Ohio State hist0ry and is expected to be a week one starter. Paris Johnson Jr. was also drafted in the top 10 of the first round to the Pittsburgh Steelers and was the highest lineman taken off the board at six and was one of three lineman taken from Ohio state. Jaxon Smith-Njigba was drafted at 20 to the Seattle Seahawks after being out for the entire year he was still the first receiver taken off the board. Ohio State had a fun first round this year and every player has the potential to be a star.

Ryan Day had a lot of good things to say.

“You never want to draft a finished product. C.J. is not a finished product. He has a really high ceiling,” said Coach Day.

Ohio State also had defensive end Zach Harrison go in the third round to the Atlanta Falcons. Harrison recorded 34 total tackles, 20 solo tackles, 8 tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks in 13 games. Harrison is standing 6’6 272 lbs which proves he’s a massive unit and will be a force for the Falcons.

Day always spoke about Harrisons leadership during the season which could help the young Atlanta defense.

“It took a while for Harrison to come to terms with that and stop pressuring himself to be something he’s not. He doesn’t have to be like any of those three to be an elite edge rusher for OSU. Now that he’s figured that out, he’s starting to tap into that which is helping elevate the defense,” stated Means.

Ohio State had two other lineman go in the fourth and sixth round: Dawand Jones who got hyped up after he looked huge next to first round lineman Paris Johnson Jr. Jones is listed at 6’8 359 lbs. He’s a massive unit. Luke Wypler, the center for the Ohio State O line, was taken by the same team Jones was taken by two rounds later. The Cleveland Browns look to win and protecting your star QB and RB is a start.

Kevin Stefanski had many good things to say to Jones after it broke out he might not have great love for the game which affects his work ethic.
“Hey, big man, are you ready to get to work? You’re coming up the road, you know how to get here I know that. We are excited to bring you here, you are part of the family and we are excited to have you. It’s time to get to work,” said Stefanski on the phone with Jones after he took him in the draft.