Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud declares for NFL draft
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud will give up a final year of eligibility to enter the NFL draft, where he is 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 last 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 touchdowns. He is the holder of 16 school offensive records.
Kyle McCord and Devin Brown are expected to compete for the starting quarterback job in 2023.
Rick Scuteri, Associated Press
Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh calls time during the first half of the Fiesta Bowl against TCU on Dec. 3 in Glendale, Ariz.
Jim Harbaugh staying at Michigan
Jim Harbaugh is staying at Michigan, a decision he personally gave the school president to end another round of speculation that he would return to the NFL.
“I just got off the phone with coach Harbaugh and Jim shared with me the great news that he is going to remain as the head coach of the Michigan Wolverines,” University of Michigan President Santa Ono shared on social media Monday. “That is fantastic news that I have communicated with our athletic director Warde Manuel.”
One minute later, Michigan football shared a statement from Harbaugh on Twitter.
“My heart is at the University of Michigan,” Harbaugh’s statement read in the post. “I once heard a wise man say, `Don’t try to out-happy, happy.'”
Harbaugh and the school have not reached an agreement on a contract extension, but both sides plan to work on a new deal this week, according to a person familiar with the situation. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because details of the negotiations were not announced.
The Denver Broncos and Carolina Panthers spoke with Harbaugh about their head coaching vacancies this month and he was mentioned as a potential candidate for the Indianapolis Colts, one of four teams he played quarterback for in the league from 1987 to 2000 after being a star for the Wolverines.
Scott promoted to W. Va. OC
Chad Scott has been named offensive coordinator at West Virginia. Coach Neal Brown announced Scott’s promotion Monday.
Scott was West Virginia’s run game coordinator last season. He replaces Graham Harrell, who was hired for the same position at Purdue. Scott enters his fifth season on Brown’s staff. The pair also worked together at Kentucky, Texas Tech and Troy.
Scott came to West Virginia after serving as tight ends and hybrids coach at North Carolina from 2016-18. He will continue to coach the running backs. West Virginia’s running game averaged nearly 172 yards per contest last season.
