C.J. Stroud, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Luke Wypler named to NFL Network's 2023 All-Combine list
Three Ohio State football players may have boosted their 2023 NFL draft stocks in Indianapolis this past weekend.
Quarterback C.J. Stroud, wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba and center Luke Wypler were each named to NFL Network's All-Combine team for their performance at the 2023 NFL combine.
C.J. Stroud 'put on a throwing clinic'
With his best fits listed as the Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Las Vegas Raiders and Carolina Panthers, Stroud "put on a throwing clinic" during his on-field workout, "coming about as close to perfect as possible."
"The Ohio State QB produced dime after dime, no matter the distance or difficulty of the throw," Around the NFL writer Nick Shook wrote. "Stroud touted his accuracy as one of his greatest strengths during Friday's media availability and backed it up with a fantastic performance, showingNFL teams exactly why they should seriously consider drafting him in April."
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Shook called Stroud a "surer choice" after his combine performance, while listing Florida's Anthony Richardson as the quarterback with the "higher ceiling."
Jaxon Smith-Njigba was 'clean, controlled and smooth' at NFL combine
Returning to the field after spending much of his junior season sidelined with a hamstring injury, Smith-Njigba looked "clean, controlled and smooth."
Shook said the drills Smith-Njigba ran with Stroud were ones that "made things look elementary," which continued for the wide receiver no matter who was throwing to him.
With the best 20-yard shuttle time in Ohio State history with a 3.93-second performance — the best from a wide receiver in the NFL combine since 2014 — and a combine-leading 6.57-second three-cone drill, Smith-Njigba could find himself as the first wide receiver off the board, with best fits listed as the Atlanta Falcons, Indianapolis Colts, Tennessee Titans and Baltimore Ravens.
Luke Wypler shows off 'overall athleticism'
While Wypler called the combine "underwear Olympics," he left Indianapolis after making a big impression.
"Although most of Wypler's reps were of a high quality — showing efficient footwork, if not a ton power — it was his overall athleticism that earned him this spot," Shook wrote. "Among the group of centers I considered to be comparable in on-field performance, Wypler tested the best. "
Wypler ran a 5.14-second 40-yard dash with a 1.83-second 10-yard split.
Shook has Wypler's best fits as the New York Giants, Houston Texans and New York Jets.
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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: C.J. Stroud, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Luke Wypler make All-NFL Combine list
