Ohio State Football: C.J. Stroud gets snubbed
By Ryan Stano
The Ohio State football program had the best offense in college football last season by every statistical category. A large reason for that was the strong play of C.J. Stroud, especially in the last two-thirds of the season. He really started playing at an elite level.
Despite that, he apparently isn’t good enough to be considered a preseason All-American. We told you that four Buckeyes were listed by Walter Camp as preseason All-Americans yesterday. Stroud was not among those Buckeyes. Instead of Stroud, they chose Bryce Young and Caleb Williams.
I have no issue with Young being one of the quarterbacks chosen. He won the Heisman Trophy last year and led Alabama to the National Championship Game. He projects to be even better this season and will be fighting with Stroud to be the number one overall pick in next year’s NFL Draft.
The issue is their choice of Williams. Williams, who didn’t even start all of Oklahoma’s games last season, was worse in every statistical category than Stroud. Stroud threw for 4,435 yards, 44 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions. He also completed 71.9% of his passes.
In contrast, Willimas threw for just 1,912 yards, 21 touchdowns, and 4 interceptions in 7 games played. He also just completed 64.5% of his passes. Worse than that, he lost to Kansas and was just 5-2 as a starter. At least Stroud lost to two good teams in his two losses as a starter.
I understand Williams is now with Lincoln Riley at USC, but he won’t have nearly the same weapons that Stroud has at Ohio State. Stroud could throw for 5,000 yards this year and win the Heisman trophy. Ohio State is also a much better team, so his record will give them a boost.
I’m sure Stroud will file this away to start the season. He knows who slights him and who doesn’t.