J.D. PicKell: Ohio State's C.J. Stroud progressing as a leader, quarterback

On3 imageby:Wade Peery07/07/22

Finishing as a Heisman Trophy finalist in his first season as a starting quarterback, Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud delivered on the jaw-dropping potential that many people across the country saw from him coming out of Rancho Cucamonga High School (Rancho Cucamonga, California). As the MVP of the 2019 Elite 11 Finals, the California native displayed elite pedigree as a prospect among the nation’s best quarterbacks in his recruiting class. Last year, he proved the experts at On3 and many other recruiting sites across the country right by dazzling in his debut season as the signal-caller for the Ohio State Buckeyes. On3’s J.D. PicKell recently discussed the man that he and many others have pegged as the preseason favorite for the 2022 Heisman Trophy on his show “The Hard Count with J.D. PicKell.” He said that many people close to the program in Columbus are even more excited about Stroud this season and they feel he’s taken yet another jump in his incredible development as a prospect.

“And the first piece of this that Ohio State fans are excited about. They feel like they have an offense that is ready made. Yes, you lost Chris Olave. Yes, you lost Garrett Wilson. But, they’ve got a guy named Jaxson Smith-Njigba, who you’ve probably heard of by now. Put on an absolute show in the Rose Bowl. A historic show in the Rose Bowl. And you’ve got Marvin Harrison, Jr.–who also popped in that game. By the way, you have, for Ohio State’s money, the best running back in the Big Ten. A lot of people would say best running back in the country. Bijan Robinson would have something to say about that. But TreVeyon Henderson is back. 1,5000-plus season last year as a true freshman. He’s gonna have some work to do this coming year. You better believe that. He’s gonna be popping off as well. So, the biggest piece of confidence for me is, after talking to people close to Ohio State. They feel like C.J. Stroud has taken the next step in terms of being the alpha for that team,” PicKell said.

“Because that was my question. Obviously, dude had a phenomenal year last year. Put up big stats. 70 percent completion percentage. I mean, that’s a great first year as a quarterback. But what they say is, hey C.J. Yes, he had a great year last year. He’s gonna have a better year this year because of the way that he’s a leader for this football team. Because, yeah he was the quarterback last year. This year, he’s the guy. Everybody’s responding to how C.J. does it. Everybody is vibrating off what C.J. is bringing to the table at practice in the weight room. He’s progressing in the weight room,” PicKell said.

“He’s handling the fanfare like a pro. I mean, C.J. Stroud is someone they are even more excited about coming into this year. Which says something if you know about the hype he had coming into last season. So, the fact that C.J. Stroud has taken that next step as a player, as a quarterback, as a leader. Ohio State fans are juiced and for good reason,” PicKell said.

C.J. Stroud and the Ohio State Buckeyes kick off their 2022-2023 season in one of the most anticipated matchups of the year, against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Kickoff for that one is slated for 7:30 PM EST on Sept. 3rd in Ohio Stadium.