Did C.J. Stroud Revive His Draft Stock?

Did C.J. Stroud Revive His Draft Stock?

There was a lot of noise entering the 2022 Peach Bowl that Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud’s draft stock was falling. There was an anonymous NFC executive that viewed Stroud as the third best quarterback entering the Draft, behind Alabama’s Bryce Young and Kentucky’s Will Levis. Coming into this season, Stroud was viewed as a close second behind Young as the best quarterback prospect in the 2023 bunch.

Last night, he might have reestablished himself as just that.

Entering the 2022 Peach Bowl, Ohio State was +5.5 underdogs against Georgia, which boasted the nation’s second-best defense. The Bulldogs’ defense is anchored by defensive lineman Jalen Carter, who is widely viewed as a future top-five pick in the 2023 Draft, and defensive back Kelee Ringo, who was preparing for a huge matchup against receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. The Buckeyes would be without standout receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who was not healthy enough to dress for the game.

Many thought that Stroud would need to have a career night to keep the Buckeyes in it.

Boy, did he ever.

• 23/34
• 348 Yards
• Four touchdowns, no interceptions
• QBR: 93.8

This Bulldog defense entered Saturday allowing 224 yards per game through the air — Stroud went over 100 yards more than that. Georgia’s defense allowed 14.79 points per game. The Ohio State Buckeyes hung 41 on the scoreboard. Stroud looked precise almost all night long.

Look at this play for evidence:

Top 10 play by a QB this year

NFL or College Football

CJ Stroud is unreal
pic.twitter.com/ECBlneAqCB

— Luke Sawhook 🪚🪝 (@lukesawhook) January 1, 2023

Stroud needed this game. Plays like this will sit atop his highlight reel that teams will be watching entering the 2023 NFL Draft season. One under-utilized aspect of his game was his ability to get out of the pocket and make a play with his legs. Well, he showed he could do just that.

CJ STROUD IS UNREAL!!!

https://t.co/Uzd8raiywg

— PFF College (@PFF_College) January 1, 2023

2023 NFL Draft Stock Report: New Year’s Eve

This was as complete a game as we have seen all year from C.J. Stroud. The 2022 Heisman candidate left it all out on the field and you could argue that he deserved the chance to play for a national championship, but it wasn’t meant to be.

This is a great start to what will ultimately be a pivotal draft process for Stroud. Next comes a good showing at the NFL Scouting Combine, then the Ohio State pro day.

Did Stroud revive his draft stock? I believe he just might’ve.

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