2023 NFL Draft: 5 Players to Watch from the Big Ten During the 2022 Season
The Big Ten Conference tallied the second-most draftees in the 2022 NFL Draft and the 2023 NFL Draft class shouldn’t be much different. With 48 players coming from the Big Ten, only the SEC produced more players to be selected. Of those 48, Penn State led the way with eight players selected with Ohio State (6), Michigan (5) and Wisconsin (5) close behind. The only Big Ten team that didn’t have a player selected was Northwestern, but they could contend to have the first player off the board from the Big Ten in the 2023 NFL Draft.
The Big Ten will be one of the first conferences in action for the 2022 season, sending Northwestern and Nebraska to Dublin, Ireland on Aug. 27 to help usher in the new season. With the season rapidly approaching, what players should NFL fans have their eyes on for the 2023 NFL Draft?
2023 NFL Draft Big Ten Prospect #1: C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State
Mixed in with the top quarterbacks of the 2023 NFL Draft is C.J. Stroud. A Heisman Trophy finalist just a season ago, Stroud is entering his third season as a Buckeye and his second as the starter. It was an impressive 2021 campaign for Stroud, throwing 44 touchdowns with just six interceptions and he’ll look to build on that in the upcoming season. After a lackluster quarterback class in 2022, the 2023 NFL Draft will have plenty of quarterback-needy teams. That will increase the already-high value of quarterbacks in the draft and a strong season from Stroud could propel him into the top pick conversation.
For Stroud, it will be tough to improve upon last season. Beyond the aforementioned touchdowns and interceptions, he also totaled over 4,400 passing yards with a completion percentage just shy of 72%. If Stroud wants to make waves, showcasing more mobility could be the key. The passing talent is there, but with an ever-changing NFL that likes to see quarterback mobility, Stroud could benefit from more production on the ground.
2023 NFL Draft Big Ten Prospect #2: Jack Campbell, LB, Iowa
Linebacker has been an underrated position in recent NFL Drafts, but the position remains important on the field. Emphasis on secondary and edge has pushed linebackers down draft boards, but finding a gem at this position can transform a defense. One player with that level of potential from the Big Ten is Jack Campbell. After playing a grand total of seven games over his first two seasons at Iowa, Campbell burst onto the scene in 2021. Playing 14 games for the Hawkeyes, Campbell tallied 140 tackles, making his presence felt all over the field. He also added six passes defended and two interceptions.
Standing 6-foot-5, Campbell has a big frame that can be difficult to throw over for quarterbacks looking for options over the middle. His ability to disrupt the pass combined with being one of the top tacklers in the nation a season ago should draw NFL interest for Campbell. If he can continue to improve and perhaps show more ability to get into the backfield for tackles, then Campbell has the potential to sneak into the first round in the 2023 NFL Draft. Even if he just maintains from last season he should make a fine addition to any NFL club.
2023 NFL Draft Big Ten Prospect #3: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State
Ohio State has become a wide receiver pipeline to the NFL Draft. The 2022 NFL Draft saw Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson go in the first round. Other NFL players at the wide receiver position that are former Buckeyes include Terry McLaurin, Michael Thomas and many more. The next to add his name to that list will likely be Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Despite the roster competition with Olave and Wilson, both of whom went in the first round of the 2022 draft, Smith-Njigba still managed to turn heads last season. Not only did he turn heads, he led the team in receiving yards with over 1,600.
Now, Olave and Wilson dominated the end zone, each reaching double-digits, but Smith-Njigba wasn’t far behind with nine of his own. With Olave and Wilson now in the NFL, this could be Smith-Njigba’s show in 2022. Ohio State will continue to have talent cycle through the position, so there will be others that compete with Smith-Njigba for touches, but he should be the focal point of this passing game. There’s a real chance that Stroud and Smith-Njigba partner up and find themselves both inside the top-10, if not the top-5, of the 2023 NFL Draft.
2023 NFL Draft Big Ten Prospect #4: Peter Skoronski, OT, Northwestern
Northwestern was the only team in the Big Ten to not have a player selected during the 2022 NFL Draft. The Wildcats went 3-9 last season and will now travel to Dublin, Ireland to start the upcoming season with a conference matchup, the third consecutive season playing a conference game week one. Despite all those “bad luck” moments, the Wildcats have the potential to produce the first offensive lineman selected in the 2023 NFL Draft.
In 2020, Peter Skoronski was named All-Big Ten Second Team while also being a True Freshman All-American according to 247Sports. Skoronski followed that up in 2021 by being named to the All-Big Ten First Team by the coaches and All-Big Ten Second Team by the media, while paving the way for a 1,000-yard rushing season for Northwestern running back Evan Hull. Offensive lineman is often an overlooked position group by fans. It’s not flashy, they don’t (often) score. However, they are the key to having a consistently successful team at all levels of the game.
The 2022 NFL Draft saw nine offensive lineman selected in the first round and three in the top-10. The 2021 NFL Draft had five offensive lineman go in the first while the 2020 NFL Draft had seven go in the first round. If those trends continue and Peter Skoronski has a strong 2022 season, he should hear his name called during the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
2023 NFL Draft Big Ten Prospect #5: Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State
For those wondering, yes, that Joey Porter. While Joey Porter Sr. was a 13-year veteran and Super Bowl champion at the linebacker position, his son, Joey Porter Jr., is a cornerback. Standing 6-foot-2 and just shy of 200 pounds, Joey Porter Jr. could be a menace in the NFL, just like his dad. Having a big and strong frame, Porter has what NFL teams are looking for now to equip their secondary. Porter only has one collegiate interception over 24 games, but he’s consistently been able to disrupt passes in other ways. He also tallied 50 tackles.
He was named All-Big Ten Third Team by the coaches and was an Honorable Mention for the media each of the last two seasons. Porter has proven to be a consistent tackler and while you’d like to see more interceptions from a corner, he’s still solid in coverage. His name will be enough to raise an eyebrow in NFL circles. If he can elevate his play in the upcoming season, he could sneak up draft boards over the course of the 2022 campaign leading up to the 2023 NFL Draft. While he might not be a top prospect, he’s a name to pay attention to as the draft process plays out.