How C.J. Stroud matured into freshman Heisman finalist for Buckeyes

COLUMBUS – C.J. Stroud got what he deserved.

The Ohio State quarterback is a Heisman Trophy finalist and will be heading to New York along with three other top players from the college football season – Alabama quarterback Bryce Young, Pittsburgh quarterback Kenny Pickett and Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson.

While Stroud is ultimately likely to finish behind Young for the award, the fact that he made into the upper echelon for the sport’s biggest award in his first year as a Buckeyes starter remains thoroughly impressive for the young star.

“Coming into the season, I didn’t really have any expectations,” Stroud said on Wednesday. “I kind of just wanted to play well and win games, really. And I feel like if you do those things, especially having teammates that I have, I mean, there’s definitely a possibility to be a Heisman finalist or be the best quarterback in the Big Ten. So I’m truly blessed even be honored to have these opportunities.”

The redshirt freshman threw for 3,862 yards, 38 touchdown passes and just five interceptions while completing 71 percent of his throws. He led Ohio State to a 9-2 record as a starter while sitting out the Buckeyes’ win over Akron as he recovered from a shoulder injury.

This is what Buckeyes coach Ryan Day envisioned for Stroud when he landed the California standout’s commitment at the tail end of the 2020 recruiting cycle. Stroud showed significant progress throughout the season and was the betting favorite to win the Heisman Trophy heading into the regular season finale against Michigan.

“I think his play speaks for itself,” Day said on Sunday. “And what he did this year, I think he really grew. And the way he played midway through the year and toward the end was very, very good. You know, we didn’t win the last game, obviously. But, you know, there was some games that he was only in there for the first half of some of those. So maybe his numbers would have been even higher if he had played all those games. But I thought he really played well. And I think he deserves to be in New York.

Lettermen Row senior writer Austin Ward is joined by Lettermen Row’s Spencer Holbrook and Tim May to break down what it means for Ohio State and C.J. Stroud to earn this honor.

Check out that video below or on the Lettermen Row YouTube channel as the guys take a dive into the season Stroud had, how he can grow from his successes, learn from his mistakes and take the next step as an Ohio State quarterback.