CJ Stroud reveals what he admires about Bengals' Joe Burrow-Ja'Marr Chase connection

CJ Stroud is next in line to be an elite quarterback heading into a 2022 campaign — that despite losing some of his top offensive playmakers — is ready to lead the Ohio State Buckeyes to compete for the College Football Playoff and has a proven track record of developing chemistry with wide receivers quickly.

With spring practice underway, the Buckeyes offensive star and clear leader of the 2022 offense was asked about the tandem of Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase in the NFL. While Chase went to LSU where he eventually began forming chemistry with Burrow, the Bengals rising star QB spent time in Columbus before ultimately transferring to the SEC.

“That’s a whole another thing,” Stroud said. “Both of them together make a great tandem and there are great tandems throughout the league but those are two people you look up to, like I look up to Joe a lot. I don’t know him like that, but just how he carries himself and his game.”

“And then Ja’marr, he’s a freak athlete, great player great routes,” so yeah.

CJ Stroud isn’t unfamiliar with finding a bond with wide receivers. His freshman debut was nothing short from eye-popping from a statistics standpoint. In his first season as the Ohio State signal caller, the California native finished the year with 4,435 passing yards, 44 touchdowns and just 6 interceptions. His final QBR was 91.6, impressive to say the least.

Now, the OSU duo of Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave are both slated to hear their name called in the top 15-20 picks of the NFL Draft next week. Stroud came in, built rapport with both, and plans to do the same with the young rising WR corps for 2022.

CJ Stroud credits family, friends and close circle for keeping him grounded

After winning the starting quarterback job last season, Ohio State’s CJ Stroud emerged as one of the top quarterbacks in college football while staying grounded. As one of the top prospects for the next level, he thanks his friends and family for keeping him where he needs to be at all times.

During player availability at spring practice, CJ Stroud thanked all those friends and family who keep him grounded at Ohio State.

“Just being grounded in my faith and having a good support system and good foundation back home, and then here as well,” said Stroud. “I just try to lean on God. And God has humbled me in these – he’s shown me humility. Different things like that, that I’ve been through in my life, has shown me that you don’t want to boast all the time because then he’ll humble you. That’s something I’ve learned.

“My mom always teaches me to be humble, ever since I’ve been a baby. Pops has done that as well. My brothers, my sisters – being the youngest out of a group of five – they kind of pick on you. That shows you to be humble as well. I definitely got that a little bit, so shout out to my brothers and sisters for that.”

CJ Stroud then went on to discuss his relationship with his friends and family.

“My sister doesn’t ever give me the benefit of the doubt,” said Stroud. “Every time she sees me, she calls me a big moose and all different types of names. But I appreciate it, it feels good to not get praised by everybody. … That’s why I enjoy going home, I enjoy being around buddies, I enjoy being around my homies back home. They definitely always – we roast all the time – we have fun.”