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Scarlet Sunrise: Rounding up Buckeyes NFL preseason debuts

IMG_7408by:Andy Backstrom•08/14/23•

andybackstrom

Paris Johnson Jr. by Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Former Ohio State offensive tackle Paris Johnson Jr. blocks for the Arizona Cardinals in his NFL preseason debut. (Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports)

Good morning, Ohio State fans, and welcome to the Scarlet Sunrise. Football will always be our focus, but every day we’ll cover news, notes and analysis from across Buckeyes sports. Join us each morning to get caught up on everything you missed in the world of Buckeyes football, recruiting, basketball and more in Scarlet Sunrise.

Rounding up Buckeyes NFL preseason debuts

C.J. Stroud faced the stiff test that is Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots defense. Paris Johnson Jr. started at right tackle for the Arizona Cardinals. And Jaxon Smith-Njigba teased his potential for the Seattle Seahawks.

Those three first-round picks made their NFL preseason debuts last week. As did a handful of other Buckeyes alums trying to make their mark at the next level.

Here’s a roundup of the group’s most notable performances:

QB C.J. Stroud – Houston Texans

Stroud had a rough go of it in Foxborough. After getting the start, he completed his first pass, but it wasn’t long before he was sacked for a loss of 15 yards. Two plays after that, Stroud threw an interception to Patriots safety Jalen Mills. Stroud finished 2-of-4 for 13 yards and that pick in his two series of action. He’s still competing for the QB1 job with incumbent starter Davis Mills.

OT Paris Johnson Jr. – Arizona Cardinals

Friday marked the start of a new era in Arizona. With a new general manager and coaching staff, the Cardinals embarked on what’s expected to be a trying 2023. But, in some ways, they impressed against the Denver Broncos. And Johnson was one of those ways. Starting at right tackle, Johnson more than held his own against Denver’s D-Line, most notably walling off EDGE Randy Gregory.

WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba – Seattle Seahawks

Smith-Njigba is going to get his touches as a rookie in Seattle. He got the ball on his first play from scrimmage Thursday against the Minnesota Vikings. In addition to that two-yard reception, he made catches of 15 and eight yards, rounding out the night with three grabs for 25 receiving yards. Smith-Njigba earned praise from Seahawks’ backup quarterback Drew Lock for his “crisp” route running.

DE Zach Harrison – Atlanta Falcons

Zach Harrison bulldozing past Atlanta Falcons right tackle Tyler Vrabel on the first day of pads in training camp made its rounds on social media. Even before that, Harrison was reportedly having himself quite the camp. He continued to flash his pass rushing skill set in joint practices with the Miami Dolphins last week. Harrison then logged his first NFL preseason tackle versus the Dolphins while playing 23 defensive snaps, per Pro Football Focus.

BONUS:

Note: The Cleveland Browns, who have a host of former Buckeyes players on their roster, technically kicked off their preseason on Aug. 3 in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game. This roundup, however, includes performances from the Browns’ preseason contest against the Washington Commanders this past Friday.

OT Dawand Jones – Cleveland Browns

Dawand Jones continues to turn heads this summer, and not just because of his gigantic frame. He has now recorded 79 pass blocking snaps and allowed only one pressure, per PFF. Plus, Jones hasn’t given up a sack in that two-game span. Despite slipping in the draft, Jones is recovering nicely to start his pro career on the right note.

C Luke Wypler – Cleveland Browns

Like Jones, Luke Wypler played significant offensive snaps for the second preseason game in a row Friday against the Commanders. Of Wypler’s 30 blocking snaps, 24 came in pass protection. He didn’t concede a single pressure in the outing, nor was he penalized.

S Ronnie Hickman – Cleveland Browns

Have a day, Ronnie Hickman. After going undrafted, the safety is trying to carve out a role for himself on Cleveland’s 53-man roster. He picked off not one but two passes versus the Commanders. To put that in perspective, Hickman recorded three interceptions in his Buckeyes career. Total.

Wide receiver Jeremiah McClellan commits to Ohio State

It’s a broken record, but Brian Hartline is good at this recruiting thing. Like really good.

The Ohio State offensive coordinator reeled in another top-100 overall prospect at the wide receiver position, this team getting a commitment from four-star St. Louis (Mo) Christian Brothers College wideout Jeremiah McClellan.

McClellan chose the Buckeyes over a collection of schools, including fellow finalists Missouri, Oregon, Georgia and LSU.

McClellan is the third wide receiver commit in Ohio State’s 2024 class. He joins five stars Jeremiah Smith — the No. 1 overall prospect this cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking — and Mylan Graham.

For more on McClellan’s commitment, go here.

RELATED

2024 three-star wing Colin White commits to Buckeyes

Ohio State also received a commitment Sunday on the hardwood.

Ottawa (Ohio) Glandorf three-star wing Colin White pledged to the Buckeyes, about 10 months after head coach Chris Holtmann and his staff got their first commitment in the 2024 class.

White joins guard Juni Mobley, who grew up in Central Ohio but has played his high school basketball career out west: first at Bishop Gorman in Las Vegas and now at Wasatch Academy in Mount Pleasant, Utah.

White, meanwhile, is still in Northwest Ohio, where he’s enjoyed a nice high school career and now earned himself a spot with the Buckeyes. The two-way wing knows how to get the rim and can pull up from outside as well.

To find out more about White and his commitment, head on over here.

Counting down

Buckeyes vs. Indiana: 19 days
Buckeyes vs. Michigan: 104 days

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