Kirk Ferentz calls CJ Stroud 'a really good football player'

CJ Stroud challenges any team he plays against as a leading Heisman Trophy candidate and potential No. 1 NFL Draft selection. He has joined a long line of recent Ohio State quarterbacks who have terrorized the Big Ten. Iowa’s Kirk Ferentz has seen several great QBs come out of Columbus over his 24 seasons. That’s why he realizes that Stroud is the next great one.

Ferentz broke down Stroud during Tuesday’s press conference ahead of the Hawkeye’s road game against the Buckeyes this weekend. He knows the history of Ohio State quarterbacks he’s had to game plan for. The combined maturity and talent of Stroud is what makes him the next threat from the Buckeyes that Ferentz’ team will have to defend.

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“By good luck or bad luck, it seems like every time we play them they’ve got somebody pretty good taking snaps…They’ve had good quarterbacks. And Stroud looks like he’s 28 years old back there,” said Ferentz. “He’s a really good football player. Just total control, really talented. It’s gonna be another challenge.”

Everyone is well aware of the talent Stroud is, especially within Ryan Day’s offense. He was a Heisman candidate as a sophomore and a first-time starter with 4,435 yards and 44 touchdowns on a 71.9% completion rate. Even amidst the loss of some key offensive weapons, he hasn’t slowed his pace this season with another Heisman campaign. Stroud has completed 70.6% of his passes for 1,737 yards and 24 touchdown. That production has him leading the nation’s No. 1 offense during Ohio State’s undefeated start to 2022.

No one needs to tell Ferentz what a challenge Stroud will be for his team, specifically his defense, come tomorrow. If the Hawkeyes want to earn a massive conference win in Ohio Stadium, they’ll have to be the team that finally slows Stroud down this year.