Todd McShay shares what CJ Stroud showed NFL scouts in College Football Playoff

Prior to facing Georgia in the College Football Playoff semifinals on Dec. 31, there wasn’t much Ohio State quarterback CJ Stroud had to prove. He was, at that point, comfortably being projected as a Top 5 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.

And then Stroud put on a display of something he’d kept on the shelf for basically his entire college career: His running ability and escapability in the pocket. ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay said several NFL scouts and front offices took notice of this new dimension that Stroud more than flashed in the Peach Bowl.

“He didn’t do it for the majority of the last two years. But he did it in that game against Georgia. And the success he had against that exceptional defense really resonated with NFL scouts. And watching the tape, it showed a little bit of a different side from him.”

The rushing numbers against Georgia aren’t gaudy, but when contrasted to the previous rushing attempts and totals from Stroud, it’s clear how different a performance it was.

Stroud carried the ball 12 times against the Bulldogs — a number that includes sacks — after his previous career high for carries in a game was six.

He finished with more rushing yards against Northwestern during an exceptionally windy contest on the shores of Lake Michigan than he racked up against Georgia. Stroud tallied 79 yards on six carries against the Wildcats, with more than half coming on one 44-yard keeper.

Stroud remains at his best when he’s keeping his eyes and brain downfield and can use his high-level touch and poise — something he also showed against Georgia. But showing the willingness to include the running dimension of his game is a big deal for NFL teams, McShay said.

“I was so impressed with CJ Stroud,” McShay said. “And the thing that I’ve been looking for, and every NFL scout that I’ve talked to is looking for from Stroud, use the mobility that you have. Get creative, be a little more like Bryce Young where you’re feeling the pressure, you’re able to get outside the pocket. Use your feet as a weapon.”