The NFL has released its list of players who have been invited to the upcoming NFL Scouting Combine and eight Buckeyes have made the cut as 319 players will descend upon Indianapolis for the event that kicks off on February 27th and runs through March 6th.
All of these players will go through four days of testing, interviews and so much more as they take their next step on the NFL journey. It is considered the NFL’s biggest job interview as a great week at the combine can propel you up team draft board where a bad week could cost a player a lot of money if they slide down the draft boards.
The Ohio State contingent is led by quarterback C.J. Stroud, Ohio State’s two-year starting quarterback and two-time Heisman Trophy finalist. Stroud will be a in a battle with other top quarterbacks to be the first signal caller to come off the board and depending on any potential trades, could be the first Ohio State player to go No. 1 overall since Orlando Pace pulled off the trick.
Ohio State’s offensive line will be well-represented as three players will travel to the Circle City. Paris Johnson Jr., Dawand Jones and Luke Wypler will all have the opportunity to take part in the annual event with Johnson appearing to be a lock for the first-round while Jones and Wypler will each look to better their standing with the league.
Rounding out the offensive side of things, receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba will also be part of the Buckeyes group after a disappointing 2022 season that saw JSN play very little football after sustaining a serious injury against Notre Dame in the season opener. The last images that anyone had of a healthy JSN goes back to the previous Rose Bowl game against Utah where Smith-Njigba (along with Stroud) helped spearhead a major comeback for Ohio State against Utah and an eventual 48-45 win.
Three Ohio State defensive players will also be part of things with defensive end Zach Harrison, cornerback Cameron Brown and safety Ronnie Hickman all taking part. Harrison has been talked about as a top-two round pick while Brown and Hickman are both slated for later rounds, but once again, a good showing can do wonders for anyone’s outlook.
Scouting Combine work will be broken into four major groups in terms of days and will start with DL and LB on the first day with DBs and special teams falling to day two. Quarterbacks, Wide Outs and Tight Ends will be on display on day three with OL and RB rounding out the fourth day. Fans will be focused on the on-field workouts which will start March 2nd and run through the 5th but testing will also draw many eyes as 40s, bench press and other testing measurables will be on display for all to see.
Be sure to join BuckeyeHuddle along the way of the NFL Scouting Combine with plans to be in Indianapolis to bring you all of the happenings from this monumental annual event.
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