Louis Riddick: C.J. Stroud Is 'Gem' of 2023 Draft Class

ESPN's Louis Riddick had former Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback C.J. Stroud at the top of his "Favorite Prospects" list, saying he has the chance to ascend to one of the best at the position in the NFL.

Buckeye Nation saw former quarterback C.J. Stroud's talent on full display first-hand the past two seasons in Columbus.

ESPN's Louis Riddick also sees the Ohio State Buckeyes product as one of his top overall prospects in the 2023 NFL Draft. Stroud is a projected first-round pick and could very well be the first player selected on April 27, especially with the interest the Carolina Panthers showed for his pro day.

"In my opinion, Stroud is the gem of the quarterback class," Riddick wrote Monday. "At 6-foot-3 and 214 pounds, he was one of the most accurate passers in college football over the past two seasons, and he makes good decisions with the ball."

While Riddick gushed over Stroud's ability to throw the ball, he didn't shortchange his ground game, something the quarterback said at the NFL Combine he "regrets" not utilizing more in college.

"He can win throwing the ball from the pocket, but he also shows the mobility to escape the pass rush, get outside the pocket and win with his legs or his arm," Riddick said. "A lot of people will say we saw that ability to create outside the pocket in only one game last season — Ohio State's loss to Georgia in the College Football Playoff — but I think we'll see it regularly at the next level. Don't underestimate what Stroud can do there."

Riddick said the Inland Empire, CA. native has the potential to be an elite-level player in the NFL, praising his leadership and dedication.

"Give me a QB like Stroud, who has the respect of his teammates, the motivation to be great and the tools to play at the highest levels," Riddick said. "If he lands in the right place, he's going to prove a lot of people right. I think he can quickly become one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL."

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