Three Ohio State Buckeyes Will Attend 2023 NFL Draft in Kansas City

Paris Johnson Jr., C.J. Stroud and Jaxon Smith-Njigba will all hear their names called in person Thursday night at Union Station.

Three Ohio State Buckeyes will be in the building Thursday night for the 2023 NFL Draft at Union Station in Kansas City, Missouri.

Offensive lineman Paris Johnson Jr., quarterback C.J. Stroud and wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba will each be in attendance for the annual event, along with some of their closest family and friends.

Each of the three Buckeyes is projected to hear their name called during the opening round of the draft. 

Stroud is currently projected to go second overall to the Houston Texans behind fellow quarterback Bryce Young of Alabama, but held the top spot in several previous mock drafts. Various NFL analysts have endorsed Stroud as a tremendous talent, including former professional quarterback Dan Orlovsky.

Smith-Njigba is the next Buckeye to go off the board, joining Stroud on the Texans as the No. 12 selection. The Ohio State duo combined for 1,606 yards and nine touchdowns through the air last season, and reason would suggest that hot streak will carry over to the next level, should they end up at the same destination.

Johnson Jr. rounds out the trio, going to the New England Patriots with the 14th overall choice. Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray has voiced his desire to join forces with Johnson Jr., however the Cards seem to be in a difficult position to make this happen.

The team would either have to take Johnson Jr. third overall (significantly higher than any mock projection), pray he drops far enough that they could grab him at No. 34 or trade some team capital and jump to a higher spot in the order.

Making their NFL dreams come true in person will no doubt be special for these three of Ohio State's several draft prospects, wherever and whenever they end up taking the stage. 

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