NFL
By: Mark T. Wilson
The 2022 Heisman finalists have been announced and Ohio State QB, C.J. Stroud has made the cut again. Last year, he came in 4th, this year, he looks to take the hardware home. But is he deserving? In 2022, the JR QB completed 235 passes for 3340 yards, 37 TD, and just 6 INTS. Remarkable numbers but most of all, Stroud led the Buckeyes to the CFB Playoffs.
Born and raised in California, Stroud quickly rose to fame while in High School at Rancho Cucamonga High where as a senior he passed for 3878 yards and 47 touchdowns which earned him Inland Valley Daily Bulletin Offensive Player of the Year. In 2021, he would be selected to play in the All-American game and finished his career as the 3rd highest ranked QB in his class.
Can C.J. Stroud Win The Heisman?
During his freshman season at Ohio State, he redshirted while he watched another young stud named Justin Fields dominate the college scene who was also a finalist for the Heisman Award that year. The following season, Stroud was given the keys to the Buckeyes and the rest has been history. In his two seasons as a full starter, the Buckeyes has won 22 games and made an appearance in the Rose Bowl where he would break both OSU and Rose Bowl records with 573 yards passing in the victory over Utah.
But this year was all about redemption. Stroud was looking to not only convince himself, the scouts, the Buckeyes faithful, and the Heisman voters that he could lead the Buckeyes back to a National Championship. Well, that almost didn’t come to fruition. There were some setbacks along the way and thanks to a small miracle from that same Utah team he beat last season, the Buckeyes have their own shot at redemption.
Unlike some of his counterparts on the Heisman ballot, C.J. Stroud is all arm. He’s not much of a mobile threat like Max Duggan or even Caleb Williams. While Stroud’s numbers are down from a year ago, he has shown to be a better leader in his 2nd year as a starter. The critics will point to his second straight defeat at the hands of the Michigan Wolverines and no Big Ten Championship appearances. But that does not mean that Stroud does not belong with the others.
In 2 seasons as a starter in one of the biggest programs in college sports, C.J. Stroud has stood tall and done everything possible to put his team in a position to win. Yes, a few costly turnovers here and there but what top players has not had them? Win or lose this weekend in the Heisman voting, C.J. Stroud is proving what hard work and dedication will get you.
