Draft Central | HoustonTexans.com

Stroud was a five-star recruit and top-50 overall prospect nationally even before throwing for 3,878 yards and 47 touchdowns as a senior at Rancho Cucamonga High School in California. He did not attempt a pass but ran for a 48-yard touchdown against Michigan State as a backup to future first-round pick Justin Fields in 2020 before taking the reins of the Buckeyes' offense in 2021. He was named the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year, Quarterback of the Year and Freshman of the Year, in addition to being a finalist for the Heisman Trophy, after ranking second in the FBS in pass efficiency (school-record 186.6) and third in passing touchdowns (44, against just six INTs) and completion percentage (317-441-71.9%). Stroud earned these honors, helping the team lead the nation with 561.5 yards of total offense per game, despite separating his right (throwing) shoulder in the season opener. He was a finalist for the Heisman and conference Offensive Player of the Year again in 2022, this time leading the FBS in pass efficiency (177.7) while throwing for 3,688 yards (258-389-66.3%) and ranking second in the FBS with 41 touchdowns (against six interceptions) in 13 starts. Also, Stroud ranked third in the FBS with 9.48 yards per attempt. -- by Chad Reuter

Anderson made an instant impact with the Tide, landing on the SEC All-Freshman Team while starting 13 games for the national champions (52 tackles, 10.5 for loss with seven sacks). The former top-100 overall high school recruit from Hampton, Georgia, showed why he is nicknamed "The Terminator" during his sophomore campaign, winning the Bronko Nagurski Trophy as the nation's top defender and earning All-American, SEC Defensive Player of the Year and first-team All-SEC honors while finishing fifth in the Heisman Trophy voting. Anderson led the FBS with 34.5 tackles for loss and 17.5 sacks among his 102 total stops in 15 starts. He won the Nagurski Trophy and was an All-American and SEC Defensive Player of the Year again in 2022, taking home the Chuck Bednarik Award and Lombardi Award, and the Lott IMPACT Trophy, as well (51 tackles, team-high 17 for loss with 10 sacks, one interception in 13 starts). -- by Chad Reuter

Scruggs helped Cathedral Prep High School win back-to-back state titles. He received first-team all-state and Lineman of the Year accolades before heading to Happy Valley. He redshirted in 2018, playing in one game off the bench. Scruggs suffered a broken back in a car accident prior to 2019 spring practices. He spent months in a back brace and acted as a de facto coach for the line during his recovery. He played in seven games as a reserve in 2020, earning a team award for inspiring his teammates. Finally able to start in 2021, Scruggs was named honorable mention All-Big Ten Conference for his play in 13 contests. He was a third-team selection as a senior, starting all 13 games at center. -- by Chad Reuter

Dell signed with Alabama A&M out of Mainland High School in Florida. An injury in the opener limited him to four games in his 2018 redshirt season (12-364-30.3, three TDs). Dell moved on to Independence Community College in 2019 and he played well enough (52-766, eight TDs receiving; 12-394-32.8, TD kick returns) to gain interest from Houston. Dell started all eight games for the Cougars in 2020 (29-428-14.8, three TDs receiving; 5-129-25.8 kick returns). He paced the AAC with 90 receptions, 1,329 receiving yards (14.8 per) and 12 receiving touchdowns in 2021 (also 13-201-15.5 kick returns), starting 13 of 14 games played and receiving first-team all-conference accolades. Dell was a third-team Associated Press All-American and first-team All-AAC selection as the Cougars' top target in 2022. He caught 109 passes for 1,398 yards (12.8 per) and 17 TDs in 13 starts, also scoring on a punt return (9-153-17.0). -- by Chad Reuter

Horton was an all-district football and basketball player at Frisco High School in Texas before signing with New Mexico for 2018, when he played in all 12 games as a reserve linebacker (13 tackles, 1.5 for loss) after adding 20 pounds. Horton started five games for the Lobos in 2019 (23 tackles, 2.5 for loss with 1.5 sacks) but missed the rest of the season with an ankle injury. Transferring back home to TCU for 2020, he played in eight games off the bench (eight tackles, one sack). Horton led the Horned Frogs with nine tackles for loss and tied for the team lead with four sacks in 2021 (51 total stops), garnering honorable mention All-Big 12 honors. He was an honorable mention all-conference selection in 2022, as well, tying for eighth in the FBS with 10.5 sacks among his team-leading 15 tackles for loss (52 total stops) in 15 starts. -- by Chad Reuter

To'oTo'o was a top 50 national recruit from De La Salle High School in California when signing with Tennessee. He was a Freshman All-American and SEC All-Freshman Team pick with the Volunteers in 2019, starting 12 of 13 games (72 tackles, five for loss, blocked kick). To'oTo'o led his squad with 76 tackles and 10 tackles for loss in 2020 (also intercepting one pass and breaking up two others) while starting all 10 games at the Will spot. He transferred from Tennessee to Alabama for 2021. To'oTo'o earned second-team All-SEC honors in his first season with the Tide, leading the team with 112 tackles (8.5 for loss with four sacks) and breaking up two passes in 15 starts. He was a first-team all-conference pick as a senior, starting all 13 games (93 tackles, eight for loss with 2.5 sacks). -- by Chad Reuter

Patterson was a top 30 offensive tackle recruit nationally as a two-time all-state pick from Mission Viejo High School in California. After redshirting the 2018 season (playing in three games as a reserve), he suited up at center in 2019, starting all 13 games that fall and starting eight contests in 2020 before missing the end of the year with a foot injury. Patterson was a third-team All-ACC pick in 2020. He missed spring practices after getting a pin removed from his foot, but started all 13 games in 2021. He missed the 2022 season opener after suffering a foot injury in practice but began the remaining 12 contests, shifting one spot over to left guard. -- by Chad Reuter

Hutchinson led Bartram Hill High School to the state title game as a senior. He went to Blinn College for two years and was rated a top 10 junior college wide receiver recruit after winning first-team all-conference notice in 2019. Hutchinson then transferred to Iowa State, garnering first-team All-Big 12 honors and conference Newcomer of the Year honors after leading his squad with 64 receptions for 771 receiving yards (with four receiving touchdowns) in 12 starts. He was a first-team pick in 2021, as well, leading Iowa State with a school-record 83 receptions for 987 receiving yards with five scores. He exploded onto the national scene in 2022, ranking third in the FBS with 107 catches and seventh with 1,171 receiving yards (10.9 per). He led ISU with six receiving scores in 12 starts to garner first-team Associated Press All-American and first-team all-conference honors. -- by Chad Reuter

Hill redshirted his first year in Pittsburgh (no statistics in four games played) coming off a strong career at Wekiva High School in Florida. He started twice in 10 games played in 2020 (27 tackles, 1.5 for loss, one interception -- returned for a score -- and two forced fumbles) before starting 13 of 14 appearances in 2021, garnering second-team All-ACC honors (81 tackles, two interceptions, six pass breakups). Hill was an honorable mention all-league pick in 2022 (67 tackles, two pass breakups), starting 12 games and then opting out of the team's bowl game to prepare for the draft. -- by Chad Reuter