Six picks into the 2023 NFL draft, two Buckeyes were already off the board.
Two-time Heisman Trophy finalist quarterback C.J. Stroud was taken by the Houston Texans as the second overall pick in Kansas City while consensus All-American offensive tackle Paris Johnson Jr. was selected sixth overall after the Arizona Cardinals traded up for his services.
When dreams become reality @CJ7STROUD | @HoustonTexans
— NFL (@NFL) April 28, 2023
: 2023 #NFLDraft on NFLN/ESPN/ABC
: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/D3EqkrKLy4 pic.twitter.com/d5sdnNNgiq
Draft hugs >@ParisJohnsonJr | @AZCardinals
— NFL (@NFL) April 28, 2023
: 2023 #NFLDraft on NFLN/ESPN/ABC
: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/D3EqkrKLy4 pic.twitter.com/8yPaqDYIDQ
And as much success as Ohio State has had in the NFL draft in recent years, that’s no small feat. The Buckeyes had only previously pulled off such an achievement three times, although they've done so twice in the past four years alone.
In 2020, record-setting Buckeye defensive end Chase Young went second overall to the Washington Commanders and the Detroit Lions followed up by taking Ohio State cornerback Jeff Okudah with the No. 3 pick. Ohio State had another pair of top-six picks in 2016, when the Chargers took Joey Bosa at No. 3 and the Dallas Cowboys selected Ezekiel Elliott at No. 4.
The first time Ohio State had two players taken before pick No. 7 was 1997, when Orlando Pace was the first player taken overall by the St. Louis Rams and Buckeye cornerback Shawn Springs went two picks later at No. 3 overall to the Seattle Seahawks.
After the draft, Stroud and Johnson both said that being drafted so high on Thursday night was something they had talked about back when they were freshmen living in the dorms at Ohio State.
Ohio State is in rarified air when it comes to NFL draft success, and Thursday’s first round only further solidified that notion.
