Ohio State junior quarterback C.J. Stroud has declared for the NFL draft, making his announcement on the final day that players can formally declare they are entering the 2023 draft.
Stroud projects as consensus Top 5 player in the NFL draft, according to ESPN's draft analysts. He'll compete with Alabama's Bryce Young and Kentucky's Will Levis to be the top quarterback taken in the draft.
Stroud's decision doesn't come as much of a surprise, considering his standing. But as he waited to declare, hope grew among the Ohio State fan base that he could return for the 2023 season.