Ohio State’s former quarterback has a warning for NFL teams ahead of the draft: Buckeye Breakfast

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- C.J. Stroud has a message for the NFL about his former Ohio State teammate Marvin Harrison Jr.

The two were teammates together for two years in Columbus, and like most in the program it didn’t take Stroud long to realize how special Harrison was.

That was apparent even when he was a freshman in a backup role during Stroud’s first season as the starting quarterback in 2021. Harrison spent that season learning behind Garrett Wilson, and when Wilson opted out of the Rose Bowl, it paved the way for Harrison’s introduction to college football in the form of three touchdown catches.

That Rose Bowl win over Utah was the starting point for a career that eventually ended with Harrison being a two-time unanimous All-American and a 2023 Heisman Trophy finalist. Now he’s considered potentially the best non-quarterback prospect in the 2024 NFL Draft.

However, some wonder if he’s even the best prospect at his position -- a theory that Stroud scoffed at during a press conference at part of the Houston Texans’ offseason workouts on Monday.

“Put on the tape,” Stroud. “He’s done it from his true freshman year to now. I read something that said he’s NFL-ready but other guys have more potential. That makes no sense. If you’re NFL-ready how is that not potential?

“You want longevity. You want someone that’s been doing it. That’s what he sleeps, eats and he breathes. He’s a worldly talent but also his work ethic and how he (elevates) that room. I challenged him that last year when Jaxon (Smith-Njigba) went down to take over as leader, and he did that. He’s not really vocal but he became vocal. You can see his personality start to come out as he started to play more.”

This is a quality wide receiver class with LSU’s Malik Nabers and Washington’s Rome Odunze also expected to be high draft picks. But Stroud has a stern warning for any NFL team in need of a wide receiver that would even think about passing on Harrison.

“For me I would love to play with him,” Stroud said. “I know I probably won’t get that opportunity for awhile. But I’m super proud of him. Whoever’s up there, be smart. Don’t be dumb. Don’t think too hard.”

Neutral season-opener

Ohio State basketball’s official first season under Jake Diebler could begin on a neutral court with a chance to make a statement.

Multiple reports say that the Buckeyes season will start in Las Vegas with a game against Texas on Nov. 4 at T-Mobile Arena. It will be the first of three marquee games this season against teams from Texas, with Texas A&M already on the schedule for the second of a home-and-home series. The Aggies won the game in Columbus this past season. OSU will also face Kentucky as part of the CBS Sports Classic at a location yet to be determined.

This will be the second-ever game between OSU and the Longhorns. Ohio State won the first meeting in a 71-65 second-round game in the NIT back when it was still playing at St. John Arena in 1986.

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The return of ‘GV′

Garrett Wilson spent his time at Ohio State turning himself into a first-round draft pick while wearing the No. 5. That number mixed with his name birthed the nickname “GV,” after the jet plane known as the Gulfstream V, as he was well-known for his acrobatic catches.

When the Jets — coincidentally enough — took him with the 10th pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, Wilson was forced to give up that number, as it was being worn by punter Thomas Morstead. Wilson instead wore No. 17 as then spent the last two years putting together back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons and winning Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2022.

With Morstead no longer on the roster, Wilson made his switch back to his college number on Jan. 9. While debuting their latest rebrand featuring a new logo and jerseys, the Jets provided a look at Wilson in his return to the No. 5.

Key dates

• NFL Draft: 9 days, April 25-27
• Chelsea vs. Manchester City soccer match at Ohio Stadium: 109 days, Aug. 3
• 2024 opener vs. Akron: 137 days, Aug. 31
• Ohio State at Oregon: 179 days, Oct. 12
• The Game 2024: 228 days, Nov. 30