Ohio State football: C.J. Stroud looking to keep developing on, off the field

“ I like to have the dudes over just to build trust,” said Stroud, a third-year sophomore from California.

Despite his inexperience, Stroud had one of the finest seasons in Ohio State history in 2021.

He was a Heisman Trophy finalist and named the Big Ten’s best quarterback, offensive player and freshman after throwing for 4,435 yards with 44 touchdown passes and six interceptions.

He parlayed his newfound stardom into off-field financial opportunities, too, taking advantage of a change in NCAA rules allowing players to do endorsements and work with companies in various other ways for pay.

Among Stroud’s reported NIL deals is one with a Canton car dealer that allows him to drive a $200,000 Mercedes, and he was part of a group to reportedly be part of a six-figure deal with The Foundation, one of the collectives put together to gather potential investors and connect them with Ohio State players.

“(I like) trying to show the younger dudes that there’s other ways than just balling out on the field,” Stroud said. “You can be successful as a businessman, too. So I try show ‘em some different things that I do in the (name, image and likeness) space and just cook for ‘em and just have fellowship and have a brotherhood.

“If you asked me what a quarterback is, I definitely think I would say a leader, and I think on and off the field. I think off the field is probably more important. Leadership is all about trust. If I trust my guys, I know they’ll do anything for me and I can do anything for them.”

With summer winding down, the time to make headlines off the field is soon to be replaced with headlines from the field, and receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba said he has seen growth in Stroud off the field.

“I feel like he’s going to show is he’s a more mature quarterback,” Smith-Njigba said. “(He) makes the right decisions and stuff like that, which is a big deal as a quarterback.”

Stroud impressed head coach Ryan Day when the quarterback told reporters at Big Ten Media Days in Indianapolis he did not feel like had accomplished anything yet in his Ohio State career.

“To say he accomplished nothing last year, that’s not accurate,” Day said when the comment was relayed to him, “but that’s his approach, and I think that’s what makes him great. And I respect that about him. So he did a lot of great things last year, but I think his best football’s ahead of him.

“I think it says a lot about C.J. for him to make that comment, on who he is as a person, because when you look at the two losses, I don’t think he played that bad in those two games. I don’t think C.J. Stroud was the problem, but for him to say that, and for him to take on those losses says a lot about who he is as a leader.”

Stroud had five 400-yard passing games last season, and he finished the season with a school-record 573 yards as the Buckeyes beat Utah in the Rose Bowl.

In that game, he surpassed his career-high of 484 passing yards set in a Week 2 loss to Oregon that was part of the growth and maturation process for Stroud.

So was a 394-yard game at Michigan, Ohio State’s other loss.

Stroud said he came away from the latter game wanting to improve as a game-manager, to be better at moving in the pocket and when to get rid of the ball, but overall he was happy with his first season on the field in college football.

“Nothing displeased me,” he said. “I just think I can always be better. There’s always room for improvement.”

As an example, he cited Michigan grad Tom Brady’s approach to a career that has yielded seven Super Bowl championships after he entered the NFL somewhat under the radar.

“He comes back every year with something to prove that he has to be better, and I respect that because I mean, it’s a fight. It’s a challenge every day for that. You know what I mean?” Stroud said. “It’s not easy to do. It’s not easy to get up there. Everybody pats you on the back for the simple stuff. You know I mean? Like stuff I think I’m supposed to do, which I appreciate, but I don’t pat myself on the back. I think I’m my biggest critic.”