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Ohio State 2023 draftees receive NFL jersey numbers

IMG_7408by:Andy Backstrom•05/12/23•

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Jaxon Smith-Njigba by Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
(Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports)

COLUMBUS — NFL rookie minicamps are getting underway around the league, and that means the careers of the newest Ohio State alums are starting at the next level.

The Buckeyes’ six 2023 draftees have received their new jersey numbers. Some are sticking with the number they wore at Ohio State. Others are changing it up.

Here’s a rundown of what digits the program’s draftees will be rolling with next season.

QB C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans – No. 7

Two-time Heisman Trophy finalist C.J. Stroud will continue wearing No. 7 with the Houston Texans. Stroud was picked No. 2 overall by Houston after posting an 85:12 touchdown-to-interception ratio in his Buckeyes career. Stroud wore No. 14 his first year at Ohio State but switched to No. 7 ahead of the 2021 season and kept it for 2022 as well.

OT Paris Johnson Jr., Arizona Cardinals – No. 70

Paris Johnson Jr. rocked the double sevens at Ohio State, where he became the first Buckeyes offensive tackle to earn consensus first-team All-American honors since Orlando Pace. Johnson is switching to No. 70 with the Cardinals, who selected him No. 6 overall in the draft. It’s important to note that the franchise retired the No. 77 in honor of former Chicago Cardinals O-Lineman Stan Mauldin, a starter for the Cards’ 1947 championship team who ultimately died of a heart attack the following season at 27.

WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seattle Seahawks – No. 11

Jaxon Smith-Njigba is sticking with No. 11 in Seattle. Smith-Njigba was Ohio State’s final top-20 pick off the board. The Seahawks took him No. 20 overall. The Rockwall, Texas, native is joining a Seahawks receiving corps that also features D.K. Metcalf and Tyler Lockett, who wear No. 14 and No. 16, respectively.

DE Zach Harrison, Atlanta Falcons – No. 96

Zach Harrison is adding a digit to his Ohio State jersey number. Instead of wearing No. 9 like he did with the Buckeyes, he will represent the Atlanta Falcons with No. 96. The Falcons picked Harrison in the third round of the draft. NFL defensive linemen can’t have single-digit jersey numbers. Plus, for what it’s worth, quarterback, and former Cincinnati Bearcats star, Desmond Ridder wears No. 9 for Atlanta.

OT Dawand Jones, Cleveland Browns – No. 74

Former Ohio State offensive tackle Dawand Jones fell to the fourth round in the draft but wound up with the nearby Cleveland Browns. He’ll wear No. 74 with the Browns, deviating from the No. 79 jersey number he had with the Buckeyes. At the moment, fellow tackle — and former Michigan lineman — Tyrone Wheatley Jr. is listed at No. 79.

C Luke Wypler, Cleveland Browns – No. 56

Luke Wypler was another Buckeyes prospect who slid in the draft yet was plucked by the Browns. Wypler wore No. 53 as a two-year starting center at Ohio State. That number is occupied by Cleveland center Nick Harris. So Wypler, a sixth-round draft pick, has settled for the unclaimed No. 56.

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