Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud is heading to New York as a Heisman Trophy finalist. Barely three months ago, his appearance on the stage this Saturday would have seemed unlikely. For some, his selection as a finalist is egregious, a further indictment of what is wrong with the voting system for college football‘s highest individual accolade. However, dig below the surface of national outrage, and Stroud has a legitimate candidacy to win the Heisman Trophy.
C.J. Stroud’s Heisman Trophy candidacy
Fail. Unimpressive. Bust.
It’s late September in Ohio, and the vultures are circling “The Horseshoe.” Following a defeat to Oregon and a lackluster performance against Tulsa masked by an impressive final result, media and fans are souring on Ohio State quarterback Stroud. During his first three games as Justin Fields’ replacement, the redshirt freshman had thrown an interception in each.
Against Tulsa, he struggled to just 185 yards and a touchdown while completing just 60% of his passes. Those words — fail, unimpressive, bust — were spoken, printed, directed towards the young quarterback. Fans clamored for Jack Miller III, Kyle McCord, and even true-freshman sensation Quinn Ewers.
Stroud was benched for the Akron game under the mask of injury while not fully supported by his head coach’s words. “We knew coming into the season we were going to need the whole room. We talked about that coming in, that this probably wasn’t going to be one guy.”
Stroud’s resurgence and resilience from early-season struggles
Perseverance. Hard work. Integrity.
Those three words get lost in the grand meaning of the Heisman Trophy. Yes, it is the award for the most outstanding player in college football. However, the remit calls for the consideration of the pursuit of excellence with integrity. The recipient epitomizes great ability combined with diligence, perseverance, and hard work.
Following the win over Tulsa, with derision raining down around him like candy from a piñata, Stroud took questions from the media. The Ohio State quarterback faced the naysayers, the doubters, and the fans who were jeering and calling for him to be replaced. He was open, honest, reflective, but resilient and ready to rectify the wrongs of the early season.
“Every game’s a learning curve for me. I’m only 19, playing as a freshman. It’s no excuse, but I still have a lot of football to learn. I feel like I’m getting better and better every week. Every time I go out there, I give my blood, sweat, and my tears.”
Stroud’s stretch run has been Heisman Trophy-worthy
What is lost in the defeat to Oregon is that Stroud, playing just the second game of his career, threw for 484 yards and 3 touchdowns. Furthermore, he did so while dealing with a separated shoulder. If the Buckeyes’ defense hadn’t been impersonating a sieve, they would have won, and Stroud would have been hoisted aloft, a hero in “The Horseshoe.”
The benching against Akron ignited a fire inside the young quarterback. When he returned, fully rested and recovered from his shoulder injury, he orchestrated the Ohio State offense into one of the best in the nation. Stroud threw for 5 touchdowns in consecutive games at Rutgers and Maryland, then followed up with 4 TDs against Indiana.
In the waning weeks of the season, Stroud notched another 5-touchdown game, this time against a Purdue team that had excelled in overcoming highly ranked teams. Some quarterbacks never sniff a 5-touchdown game in their career. Yet, Stroud had three in his first season as a college football quarterback.
Despite this resurgence, this reimagining, there remained the lack of a “Heisman moment” that Stroud could hang his hat on. Until the game with Michigan State, that is. 30 minutes of football brilliance and offensive brutality that beggared belief. The Ohio State quarterback mercilessly picked apart the Spartans’ secondary, racking up 6 touchdown passes and 432 yards to end Michigan State’s playoff push.
Stroud’s Heisman Trophy résumé is surprisingly strong
A defeat to the Michigan Wolverines in college football’s biggest rivalry game destroyed Ohio State’s College Football Playoff bid. Furthermore, defeat in “The Game” is the most embarrassing affliction that a Buckeyes player can be a part of. However, in the face of a barrage of Michigan defensive pressure, Stroud threw for 394 yards and a touchdown. It was once again a dilatory and disastrous defensive performance that was too much to overcome.
Yet, that shouldn’t stand in the way of Stroud’s Heisman Trophy chances. Why should team results inhibit individual greatness? If the Heisman is genuinely an individual award, the recipient shouldn’t necessarily have to come from a team that won their conference championship or is in a position to win the national title.
Stroud’s statistical résumé stands up to the other quarterback candidates for the Heisman Trophy. His 70.9% completion percentage is better than Kenny Pickett and Bryce Young’s. The Ohio State quarterback has also averaged more yards per game and more yards per attempt than his contemporaries. Furthermore, he has a higher touchdown percentage per throw than his Heisman Trophy quarterback competition.
Barely three months ago, it would have been inconceivable for Stroud to be named the Heisman Trophy winner. Yet, the clamor for his replacement has dissipated, his job so secure that Ewers has transferred from the program. He’s overcome injury and insult to become the first-ever recipient of the Big Ten Player, Quarterback, and Freshman of the Year — all within the same season. Stroud should add the Heisman Trophy to that silverware on Saturday.