CJ Stroud is already making serious noise as a Heisman front-runner in 2022, but now he’s quickly climbing up NFL Draft boards after Pro Day.

Last week, Ohio State held its annual Pro Day for its eleven NFL Draft prospects. However, despite the influx of talent headed to the league from Columbus, one player turned heads who is not yet eligible to turn pro. That player? CJ Stroud. The second-year Buckeye QB threw passes alongside former QB and National Champion Cardale Jones. 

More than 100 NFL personnel inside the Woody Hayes Athletics Center watched and evaluated the talent hotbed in the Buckeye state last Wednesday. NFL scouts were impressed by the route running ability and ball skills of Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson. Master Teague also had them enamored, posting a 4.4 40-yard dash, 27 bench press reps, and a 10’11 broad jump. 

Above all the talent, though, rose Stroud, who wowed the NFL Scouts. One evaluator used “amazing” when describing the 2023 Draft prospect after asking which player stood out at the Pro Day. 

Beautiful deep ball from C.J. Stroud to Garrett Wilson: pic.twitter.com/ehIDYcTUoQ

— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) March 23, 2022

His precision and accuracy were displayed in the script drawn up by Ryan Day and the players. Most notably, Stroud’s deep ball turned the most heads as he unleashed deep shots to his route technician wide receivers. 

Stroud begins his second season at the helm of Ohio State’s high-octane offense with an arsenal of weapons at his disposal. Last year, the QB posted monster numbers despite missing a game due to a lingering shoulder injury. While Olave and Wilson head to the NFL, Brian Hartline has a loaded room waiting for the next man up. 

Jaxon Smith-Njigba will be the featured target for the Buckeyes alongside Marvin Harrison Jr. The two will likely be the most dynamic duo in the country as Stroud eyes a repeat performance of last season that adds a perfect regular season and championship rings. 

Image Credit: The Ohio State University Department of Athletics