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Colin Cowherd 'doesn't see the wow' in QB C.J. Stroud ahead of NFL Draft

IMG_6598by: Nick Kosko03/20/23nickkosko59

It remains to be seen which quarterback goes No. 1 overall to the Carolina Panthers. C.J. Stroud could be the guy out of Ohio State.

But Fox Sports host Colin Cowherd was not overly impressed with the former Buckeyes quarterback as the top choice in the NFL Draft. Cowherd was a noted fan of Alabama quarterback Bryce Young and vied for the former Crimson Tide star as the top selection.

He explained on Monday’s edition of The Herd.

“The betting markets have C.J. Stroud right now as the number one quarterback to go,” Cowherd said. “I think he’s fine. I don’t see the wow in him. I think he’s talented and depending on where he lands, he could be successful. But I’ve said before, I think Bryce Young from Alabama is much more polished, could walk into the NFL and play right now.

“I don’t know Bryce Young, small, 195, 5-10-and a half, I don’t know how long it lasts. But the betting markets right now with Carolina at the number one pick have them going after C.J. Stroud and I was wrong (about my prediction).”

Stroud was a two-time Heisman finalist for Ohio State. He led the Buckeyes to the College Football Playoff this past season and won a Rose Bowl during his first year as a starter.

In his college career, Stroud had 8,123 yards, 85 touchdowns, 12 interceptions and a 69.3% completion percentage.

The projections pointed towards a quarterback for the Panthers. Which quarterback will suit up in black and blue? That remains to be seen.

Although it’s all but a guarantee for Carolina to select a signal caller on draft day, per ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr.

“Figuring out QB1,” Kiper said on SportsCenter. “Now they’re in a position to get that QB1, own this division for a long time but they hit on that quarterback at nine, they probably weren’t gonna get any of the top three, maybe even top four. Now these pro days are coming up the 22nd of March: C.J. Stroud, 23rd Bryce Young, 24th Will Levis, very important.

“Anthony Richardson‘s the 30th of March, but the top three right now, three horse race, Bryce Young, you’re gonna take the outlier with size. There hasn’t been a quarterback this size go in the first round ever. C.J. Stroud is red hot. They’re gonna QB1 off their board, guaranteed now, by making this monumental deal.”

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