Currently, in his junior year at college, C.J. Stroud is one of the top prospects in American college football as of now. Already a two-time Heisman Trophy finalist (in 2021 and 2022), C. J. Stroud is currently playing for the Ohio State Buckeyes. At Ohio State, Stroud is majoring in Human Development and Family Sciences while resetting practically every record for the college.
Initially considered a 3-star recruit, Stroud would finish high school as the third-highest-rated quarterback of his class before committing to Ohio State University for college football.
Stroud was born in Rancho Cucamonga, California, as the youngest of four children. After a strong high school career as a member of the Rancho Cucamonga High School, where he was named the offensive player of the year after passing for 47 touchdowns and 3,878 yards. In 2019, he was the MVP of the Elite 11.
C.J. Stroud at Rancho Cucamonga High School
C.J. Stroud was born on October 3, 2001, in Rancho Cucamonga, California, as the youngest of four children. His childhood has been fairly troubled as his father was incarcerated when he was in high school. Stroud attended Rancho Cucamonga High School and started his football journey there too.
As a senior, he was the offensive player of the year after passing for 3,878 yards and 47 touchdowns. Stroud was named the MVP of the Elite 11 in 2019. Stroud was also a selection for the 2020 All-American Bowl. Initially considered a 3-star recruit, Stroud greatly improved his standing and became the third-highest-rated quarterback in his class, before committing to Ohio State University to play college football.
C.J. Stroud at the Ohio State University
Stroud redshirted his true freshman year at Ohio State and played just one total snap that ended with a 48-yard rushing touchdown. In 2021, Stroud was named the starting quarterback over freshmen like Kyle McCord, Quinn Ewers, and Jack Miller III. His decision-making, leadership skills, and accuracy served as primary reasons for his election as the starting quarterback for the Buckeyes. Starting every game in the season bar a Week 2 game against Akron, Stroud showcased an insane display of skills, all the way to a first-team All-Big Ten Honors and was named the Big 10 Quarterback of the Year, while winning Big Ten Freshman of the Week six times. Stroud was also a finalist for both the Davey O’Brien Award and the Heisman Trophy. Stroud rewrote the history books, becoming the only quarterback in Ohio State history to throw five touchdowns against a Big Ten competitor four times in one season.
Finishing with a 10-2, Stroud broke multiple OSU and Rose Bowl records, finishing with 573 yards and 6 touchdown passes, as his team returned from a 14-point deficit to win 48-45. Following up on his 2021 season success, Stroud entered the 2022 season as one of the best players in college football. Finishing 3rd in the Heisman Trophy voting, Stroud improved his draft stock while setting a conference record for the most games with 6 passing touchdowns in a season. On January 16, 2023, Stroud announced that he would forgo his remaining two years of college eligibility and entered the 2023 NFL Draft.
