NFL Rumors: Ohio State Quarterback Falling Down Draft Boards

Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud apparently isn't the hot commodity he once was. Per multiple sportsbooks, Kentucky quarterback Will Levis has now passed him as the likeliest second-overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.

Will Levis is now the betting favorite to go No. 2 overall. https://t.co/LgjntP3g7E
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) April 22, 2023

Stroud was allegedly in contention for the first overall pick earlier in the draft process, but the Panthers have focused their attention on Alabama quarterback Bryce Young. Evidently, Stroud has also been passed by Levis, as well as potentially Anthony Richardson and Hendon Hooker, on many draft boards.

It's a precipitous fall for Stroud, who by some accounts was the most polished, pro-ready quarterback prospect in this year's draft. He was an incredibly productive passer at one of college football's elite programs over the past two years, finishing fourth in Heisman Trophy voting in 2021 and third in 2022. He passed for an impressive 8123 yards, 85 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions in 25 appearances with the Buckeyes and sports an ideal NFL frame (6'3", 214 lbs) with solid arm strength and accuracy at all levels of the field.

Unfortunately for Stroud, he appears to be rubbing certain organizations the wrong way. Former NFL quarterback Brady Quinn suggested Stroud aggravated teams by "ghosting" a Manning Passing Academy earlier this month. He also reportedly scored poorly on the S2, a cognitive test the NFL recently adopted to evaluate processing, decision-making, and anticipation. All that, combined with the lack of success quarterbacks from Ohio State have demonstrated at the NFL level, has teams nervous.

How early Stroud will go (or how late he will fall) will be answered soon enough: the first round of the NFL Draft begins at 8:00 PM ET on Thursday, April 27th.