Scarlet Sunrise: Where does ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. rank C.J. Stroud on updated Big Board?
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Where does ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. rank C.J. Stroud on updated Big Board?
ESPN NFL Draft Analyst Mel Kiper Jr. released his updated prospect rankings Thursday. He made headlines by listing Kentucky’s Will Levis as the top quarterback — and No. 3 overall player — in the 2023 Draft. Levis posted a 19:10 touchdown-to-interception ratio this season for a 7-5 Kentucky team, and his 60.3 QBR is 61st nationally, although it’s worth noting that he played behind an offensive line that allowed the seventh-most sacks per game (3.50) in the country.
Kiper has Alabama’s Bryce Young as his second-rated quarterback in this year’s class. Next up is Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud, who is a repeat Heisman Trophy finalist and the only one of the three playing in the College Football Playoff this season. Stroud has piled up 81 touchdown passes the last two years.
Here’s an excerpt of what Kiper wrote about the Buckeyes signal caller, via ESPN:
“He is quite simply a fantastic passer. He has smooth mechanics, good (not great) arm strength and can throw with touch to all levels of the field. Stroud is coming off his worst game of the season, a two-interception performance in the loss to Michigan. I didn’t drop him a few spots because of that game, but he did show a few things he needs to improve. He has to get better when he’s off schedule and plays break down. I’d like to see him use his legs to scramble for first downs. He can be a little too rigid in the pocket. Still, I see Stroud as a rookie starter in the NFL.”
Kiper has stroud as the No. 7 overall prospect on his Big Board. He previously had Stroud at No. 3. Meanwhile, Buckeyes wide receiver Jaxon Smith Njigba — who missed all but three games this season with a nagging hamstring injury and isn’t playing in the CFP — is listed at No. 5 overall as Kiper’s top wideout in the class.
Garrett Wilson wins NFL Rookie of the Week for fourth time
The New York Jets hit the jackpot with former Ohio State wide receiver Garrett Wilson.
Wilson was named the NFL’s Rookie of the Week for the fourth time this season following his Week 13 performance against the Minnesota Vikings. He matched his career high with eight receptions and set a new personal-best with 162 receiving yards.
At the beginning of the fourth quarter, Wilson recorded his longest play from scrimmage this season: a 60-yard catch and run that vaulted the Jets to the Minnesota 11-yard line. Wilson is up to 790 receiving yards on the season. He’s just 54 yards shy of Keshawn Johnson’s Jets rookie record of 844 receiving yards, which Johnson set in 1996.
No other Jets player has ever won NFL Rookie of the Week four times.
Four Buckeyes land on Walter Camp All-American teams
Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. might not have won the Biletnikoff Award Thursday — Tennessee’s Jalin Hyatt got that honor — but Harrison is one of four Buckeyes players to earn Walter Camp All-American honors. Harrison and Ohio State left tackle Paris Johnson Jr. are both first-team selections. Harrison is tied for fourth nationally with 12 receiving touchdowns, and Johnson allowed just 10 pressures, according to Pro Football Focus, after moving from right guard to left tackle this past offseason.
Buckeyes linebacker Tommy Eichenberg and quarterback C.J. Stroud are second teamers. Eichenberg leads the team with 112 total tackles, and he’s tied for third in the country with 72 solos. Stroud swept the Big Ten’s offensive awards and was named the AP Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year earlier this week — plus, as mentioned above, he’s a Heisman finalist for the second year in a row.
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READ: Four Buckeyes land on Walter Camp All-American teams
Tanner Holden plays hero in Big Ten opener
Welcome to the Big Ten, Tanner Holden. The senior Wright State transfer drilled a buzzer-beating 3-pointer to beat Rutgers in Ohio State’s conference opener Thursday night.
Those were the only points Holden scored in 15 minutes of action, but they were the difference in a game that featured 12 ties and 12 lead changes.
Buckeyes center Zed Key registered a career-high 22 points in the thrilling 67-66 win, not to mention his 14 rebounds. He outplayed Rutgers big man Cliff Omoruyi — despite Omoruyi’s second-half surge — and the No. 25 Buckeyes outrebounded the Scarlet Knights, 35-27, allowing a mere six offensive boards.
Holden’s heroics stole the spotlight, though. And Ohio State moved to 7-2 on the season.
READ: Tanner Holden’s buzzer beater delivers Buckeyes win over Rutgers
Counting down
Peach Bowl: 23 days away
Buckeyes vs. Michigan: 352 days
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