2023 NFL Draft News: Heisman Finalist C.J. Stroud Entering Draft Following Playoff?

As we move toward the announcement of the Heisman Trophy winner, more top underclassmen are weighing their options and deciding if they will declare for the 2023 NFL Draft. Here is the latest NFL Draft news I’m hearing.

C.J. Stroud and Other Top Ohio St. Prospects All Leaning Towards Declaring

After yesterday’s announcement by receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba that he’s entering the NFL Draft, will the rest of the draft-eligible underclassmen from Ohio State follow suit?

One source tied into the program told me he expects the floodgate to open, and all the top next-level prospects from Ohio State will enter the draft after the college football playoffs.

Had it not been for the Buckeyes backing into the final four, my source said most of the players would’ve bypassed the bowl game and started training for the Combine. The list of names besides Jaxon Smith-Njigba includes C.J. Stroud, Paris Johnson Jr., Steele Chambers, Luke Wypler, and possibly Cade Stover.

MORE: 2023 NFL Draft Big Board

Staying in the Big 10, it’s looking more and more likely Michigan cornerback DJ Turner will enter the draft once the playoffs are finished.  Turner holds a top 45 grade on my board.

Oregon’s Bo Nix, Noah Sewell Undecided on 2023 NFL Draft while Tanner McKee Entering

I can confirm that Stanford quarterback Tanner McKee and Oklahoma tackle Anton Harrison are both presently training for the Combine and have made themselves eligible for the draft.  As stated yesterday, Harrison has a second-round grade on my board, though I believe the bottom half of round one is still a possibility. McKee holds a late second-round grade on my board, yet there are some in the scouting community who believe the Stanford passer is more of an early Day 3 prospect.

Last week I mentioned Bo Nix of Oregon was on the fence as to his next move — entering the 2023 NFL Draft or returning to Oregon for a second senior season.  Today I received further confirmation Nix is still debating his options.

I’m told the same holds true for linebacker Noah Sewell.  The junior is debating whether or not he’ll enter the draft or return to college. Sewell, who holds a second-round grade on my board, may go the transfer route if he chooses to play another season on the college field.

Arkansas linebacker Drew Sanders, a transfer from Alabama, is also debating whether or not to enter the draft. The junior, who was on nobody’s radar at the start of the season, played brilliantly, totaling 103 tackles, 13.5 TFLs, 9.5 sacks, and six PBUs.