Scarlet Sunrise: Trio of Buckeyes prospects make NFL.com's 2023 All-Combine Team

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Trio of Buckeyes prospects make NFL.com’s 2023 All-Combine Team

NFL.com writer Nick Shook came up with All-Combine offensive and defensive rosters, highlighting the top performers from this past week’s pre-draft showcase. He included three former Buckeyes standouts, all of whom are on the offensive side of the ball: quarterback C.J. Stroud, wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba and center Luke Wypler.

QB C.J. STROUD

Stroud turned in what NFL Network draft expert Daniel Jeremiah called “one of the best throwing sessions I’ve seen at the Combine.” The two-time Heisman Trophy finalist flexed his accuracy, even quieting the roar of Anthony Richardson discourse Saturday after the former Florida signal caller put up insane numbers in the testing portion of the afternoon. Stroud throwing was key, particularly because Alabama’s Bryce Young — who entered the week as the odds favorite to be picked No. 1 overall — didn’t spin it at the Combine.

Shook: “The Ohio State QB produced dime after dime, no matter the distance or difficulty of the throw. Stroud touted his accuracy as one of his greatest strengths during Friday’s media availability and backed it up with a fantastic performance, showing NFL teams exactly why they should seriously consider drafting him in April. Richardson has the higher ceiling, but Stroud is the surer choice as we depart Indianapolis.”

WR JAXON SMITH-NJIGBA

Smith-Njigba reminded everyone why he was the Biletnikoff Award favorite entering the 2022 season. He showed out during his workout Saturday, flashing sure hands and exceptional short-distance quickness, leading all participants in both the three-cone and 20-yard shuttle. Smith-Njigba was close to flawless in his route running and catching, and it was a welcome sight for Ohio State fans to see him reeling in passes from Stroud again.

Shook: “Smith-Njigba is quicker than fast — he posted the best 20-yard shuttle time of any receiver since 2014 — which will get him open plenty at the next level. He leaves Indianapolis just as he arrived — as one of the top talents at the position.”

C LUKE WYPLER

Wypler was probably the most surprising departure for the Buckeyes this offseason, but the two-year starting center proved why it might have been a great decision Sunday. Notably, he posted an NGS athleticism score of 81, which was certainly aided by his 1.83-second 10-yard split in the 40-yard dash. He also looked fluid in his position drills.

Shook: “Although most of Wypler’s reps were of a high quality — showing efficient footwork, if not a ton power — it was his overall athleticism that earned him this spot. Among the group of centers I considered to be comparable in on-field performance, Wypler tested the best.”

Three storylines as Buckeyes open critical stretch of spring practice

Ohio State spring practice starts Tuesday. The Buckeyes will have 15 practices, including their April 15 Spring Game, scattered across the next two months.

It’s still technically the offseason, but, in many ways, it’s the start of the 2023 season. The Buckeyes welcome 20 new players to the roster. That includes 11 early-enrollee freshmen, seven transfers and a pair of walk-ons. Meanwhile, Ohio State returns 13 starters — seven on offense and six on defense — from last year’s team that was a field goal away from the College Football Playoff final.

It’s Year Five of the Ryan Day era, and there are countless storylines heading into spring ball.

Lettermen Row recaps the biggest ones here.

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• How Buckeyes can take big step forward defensively during spring practice

Position battles to watch as Buckeyes open spring practice

Who will be Ohio State’s quarterback at Indiana on Sept. 2? Junior Kyle McCord or redshirt freshman Devin Brown? That’s the million dollar question that everyone wants the answer to. And we might get it by the end of the spring ball.

At least that’s what Day hinted at last month. But there’s no guarantee. While who’s under center will be the most important position battle this spring, there are a handful of others that warrant coverage.

One, in particular, could make or break the Buckeyes’ season, regardless of who is QB1, and that’s the competition up front. Ohio State has to replace three starting offensive linemen, all of whom just participated in the NFL Combine and expect to hear their names called in this year’s draft.

For a breakdown of Ohio State’s position battles, go here.

Counting down

Buckeyes vs. Indiana: 179 days

Buckeyes vs. Michigan: 263 days

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