Current, former Ohio State quarterbacks put on Pro Day show
COLUMBUS — The former Ohio State quarterback already had his Pro Day.
The current one for the Buckeyes will have his real audition for the NFL coaches and general managers next year.
But both Cardale Jones and C.J. Stroud made the most of the bonus opportunities on Wednesday afternoon in the Woody Hayes Athletic Center, alternating reps during a truly intriguing workout in front of a wide array of next-level representatives.
The featured attractions were the wide receivers, of course. And Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson offered even more evidence to the clear-cut, first-round cases they’ve built ahead of the Draft next month. But somebody had to throw the football, and Stroud obviously had plenty of eyeballs on him in what amounted to a test run before his real-deal Pro Day next spring.
“That was special,” Stroud said after the throwing session. “I love those dudes, they’re like big brothers to me. So, I feel like this was a good thing to end with for us, and I really appreciate the opportunity.
” … I heard some good things [about the performance], plus some things I could work on. Some quarterback coaches said there were some things I could work on, and I definitely want to take all the feedback I can because that’s somewhere I want to be. I feel like I did a good job. I want a couple throws back, but I feel like it was a decent day. I think it was an opportunity for me to show what I can do, and I feel like this will elevate my confidence a little bit for my Pro Day. I can’t do anything but thank Garrett and Chris for letting me do this with them.”
Stroud had a former national-champion passer airing it out next to him, and Jones also jumped at the chance to get back in the Pro Day setting with the Buckeyes.
Jones had conversations with the coaching staff earlier in the year where he expressed an interest in participating while still trying to find a way to get back into football after COVID sabotaged his last professional shot two years ago. It has now been six years since he was the centerpiece of an epic, standing-room-only Pro Day as part of a loaded Ohio State draft class, and Jones again flashed his powerful arm strength after getting warm and building some rhythm next to Stroud.
Both Ohio State quarterbacks chatted with the media after the session was done. And Lettermen Row spent some time with Cardale Jones when it was over to get his unique perspective on the afternoon — both as a participant and as an analyst with an up-close view of what C.J. Stroud put on display.
The full conversation is available below or on the Lettermen Row YouTube channel.
