No surprise: Stroud will enter draft

Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud will give up a final year of eligibility to enter the NFL draft, in which he’s expected to be a top-five pick. The two-year starter for the Buckeyes announced his decision, which had been expected, on social media on Monday, the last day eligible players can declare for the draft. “This process has been difficult, and the decision, one of the hardest I’ve ever had to make,” Stroud said in the statement. “As a kid, I dreamed of playing football at the highest level, and after much prayer, I’ve made the decision that it’s time to turn those dreams into a reality.” Stroud led the Buckeyes to back-to-back 11-2 seasons but lost to Michigan twice. Ohio State made it to the College Football Playoff this past season but lost to eventual national champion Georgia 42-41 in a semifinal, a game in which Stroud threw four TD passes. The 21-year-old was a Heisman Trophy finalist in both seasons. He amassed more than 8,000 passing yards and threw 85 TDs. He’s the holder of 16 school offensive records. Kyle McCord and Devin Brown are expected to compete for the starting QB job in 2023.