Ohio State will be well represented in the 2023 NFL Draft, although it is unknown at this time how many Buckeye underclassmen will decide to turn pro.
Quarterback CJ Stroud and left tackle Paris Johnson Jr. are first round locks. If NFL teams are convinced Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s hamstring is healed, he should be too.
But there is plenty of depth in the Buckeyes’ draft class. Here’s a look at 10 OSU players likely to make the jump to the NFL and a guess at what round they might be taken:
CJ Stroud, quarterback, 1stSt round
Draft analysts have him going as high as No. 1 overall, though Alabama’s Bryce Young is the most popular pick at that spot. A strong College Football Playoff performance would help him, especially if he shows he can play while improvising and is willing to make plays with his feet. As a passer, Stroud has few weaknesses. He is exceptionally accurate, has a strong arm and is a student of the game.
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Paris Johnson Jr., tackle, 1St round
Johnson made a smooth transition from playing right guard in 2021 back to his natural tackle spot this year. At 6-foot-6 and 310 pounds, he has rare agility for his size and has the strength to hold off pass rushers and open holes in the running game. His only penalty all season was a flag for a false start against Michigan. Johnson will be considered one of the surest picks in the draft, a plug-and-play tackle in his rookie season. According to Pro Football Focus, Johnson allowed just one sack in 2022.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba, wide receiver, likely 1stSt round
He was considered a possible top-10 pick before the season, but his junior year was marred by a hamstring injury. He was injured early in the season opener against Notre Dame and played only parts of two more games. Smith-Njigba announced after OSU made the College Football Playoff that his injury would not heal in time to play and that he would instead begin preparing for the draft. He’s fast but not a blazer, and his 6-1, 200-pound frame has to take the NFL pounding. But Smith-Njigba has rare elusiveness, excellent hands and a feel for the game that is hard to teach.
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Zach Harrison, Defensive, 2ndn.d round
Harrison, a five-star recruit, struggled to live up to that billing for much of his career at Ohio State. He started to blossom last year and took another big step this year. The 6-6, 272-pound Harrison is exceptionally quick for his size. His long arms allow him to knock down more than his share of passes. Harrison had five sacks and 23 hurries, according to PFF. He expects to test well at the NFL combine, which could make him a first-round possibility.
Dawand Jones, offensive tackle, 2n.d-3rd round
Jones’ biggest advantage is his size and quickness for such a big. At 6-8 and 359 pounds — and slimmed down considerably from when he arrived — Jones can nearly eclipse pass rushers with his frame. He can also be road grader in the running game. A former basketball player, Jones remains a bit raw, but his size and athleticism make him quite intriguing. According to PFF, he hasn’t given up a sack and has only allowed four pressures in pass protection this season.
Luke Wypler, center, 2ndn.d-4th round
Wypler unexpectedly became the starter last year when Harry Miller was injured before the season opener and has held it ever since. He is a cerebral athlete who plays with an edge. Call it New Jersey scrappy. OSU’s tackles get most of the attention, but as a center, Wypler is the leader on the line. He allowed no sacks and just six pressures in 2022, earning him the grade as PFF’s No. 4 center.
Tommy Eichenberg, linebacker, 3rdrd-5th round
Eichenberg proved his 17-tackle performance in last season’s Rose Bowl was no fluke. Sure, he benefited from the strong play of the defensive line, which kept him largely unblocked. But he showed tremendous instincts and assured tackling, despite playing with broken thumbs late in the year. NFL teams will question his raw speed, but he gets from point A to point B quickly enough. PFF ranked him as the sixth-best linebacker in the country.
Cade Stover, tight end, 3rd-5th round
Stover finally found a home at tight end this year after shuttling on both sides of the ball earlier in his Buckeye career. His heart may still be in defense and he plays with that mentality. Stover has the most receptions (35) by any Ohio State tight end since Rickey Dudley in 1995. That’s remarkable considering Stover is still learning the position and his best days appear to be ahead of him.
Ronnie Hickman, safety, 4th round
Hickman only had about half as many tackles in 2022 as last year, but that was largely a function of the improved unit around him. It’s a sign of a defense’s weakness when a safety leads the team in tackles after all. Hickman ranked seventh among safeties viewed by PFF. He closes the ball well, likes to hit and rarely makes assignment errors.
Lathan Ransom, safety, 4th round
After suffering a broken leg in the Rose Bowl, Ransom’s status was a question mark heading into the season. But his hard work to get back paid off, as he soon became a difference maker on the OSU defense. His slight frame will give NFL teams pause, but he has always played much bigger than his size. Ransom is physical and instinctive. If he can avoid injury, he should have a productive NFL career.