Buckeyes receivers feel 'absolutely elevated' with C.J. Stroud at quarterback
COLUMBUS — With the absurd collection of talent elsewhere, maybe anybody could lead the Ohio State offense.
A Game Manager could surely get the job done. But instead the Buckeyes catching passes from a new quarterback are seeing a Game Changer.
C.J. Stroud is heading into one of the most advantageous situations a first-time starter could ever hope to find. Ohio State brings back the nation’s most dynamic unit of receivers, a loaded backfield and a monstrous offensive line to protect the quarterback and power the ground game. But the five-star signal-caller is no slouch either, and the Buckeyes around him are quickly finding out that his shoulders can certainly carry their share of the weight.
“I think what’s been the most impressive thing was C.J. … it’s just his calm and his poise,” Ohio State wide receivers coach Brian Hartline said. “Like, I haven’t seen any rattle from him, and it’s just very mature of him. I think he is able to hit a throw, be happy about it. Miss a throw, move on to the next throw and still hold himself accountable.
“Our job is to always be in the right spot at the right time — and be uncovered. But I would say that C.J. absolutely has elevated our game. We are a better room because of him playing at quarterback.”
The Buckeyes becoming even more prolific at receiver might be hard to imagine — both because they were already among the elite in the country with Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson terrorizing secondaries and because the last quarterback was a first-round NFL Draft pick.
Justin Fields obviously leaves big shoes behind for Stroud to fill. But he also left a pair of gifted weapons, a blossoming superstar in the slot in Jaxon Smith-Njigba, two other five-star targets and a true freshman with Hall of Fame genetics. All of them can help ease the transition for a redshirt freshman at the most important position on the Ohio State roster. But Stroud has also spent this year offering reminders of why he was a five-star prospect as well.
“C.J. always had all the throwing tools,” Wilson said. “I mean, it’s always been that way with him. I’d say the big thing with C.J. was just taking that leadership role. We had it with Justin last year, and with him leaving, we needed someone to step up into that role. He’s been huge with that.”
“It’s just the ability to spread the ball all around. There’s not a throw on the field he can’t make. Now he’s taken on a leadership role early since he’s only been here two years. So for him taking on that role this offseason the way he has and then into camp, that’s huge. To see his development and his growth, he’s taken a huge couple steps in these past couple months — and he knows it, too. I can’t wait to see how he takes it on in his first game starting.”
That opportunity is now just a week away for C.J. Stroud.
Obviously he’s going to be surrounded by a stellar supporting cast at Ohio State. But he’s also proving more than capable of helping make them shine even brighter.
