CJ Stroud details what becoming the Heisman Trophy frontrunner means

Ohio State signal-caller C.J. Stroud is lucky enough to be one of college football’s most prominent superstars in one of its most prominent programs. Toss in the fact that he’s the preseason favorite to win the 2022 Heisman Trophy for many national media analysts, including On3’s J.D. PicKell, and there’s no shortage of preseason accolades and honors coming his way. After finishing as a Heisman Trophy finalist last year, the former Elite 11 camp MVP has already lived up to his lofty billing as a high school prospect and then some. Recently, Stroud discussed what it meant to be a Heisman Trophy finalist last season and how he’s handling the pressure of being the front runner this year for college football’s most coveted individual honor.

“Right. Being a finalist was definitely just a blessing. I’ve been dreaming of that moment for my whole life ever since I dedicated my life to football. And for God to bless me like that–as quick as it came–it was amazing. And I know that I went through everything that I went through just to get to that moment. And of course, I’m not satisfied with it. I’m just gonna appreciate it. But I mean, I’m moving on from that and just working. I definitely think that I’m not really focusing too much on just the Heisman. I just wanna win. I just wanna go 1-0 week. 1-0 game. 1-0 a film session. 1-0 in practice. I feel if you do that, you stack days and good things like that could come. I’m just hoping for the best with that,” Stroud said.

It appears to be a two-man race heading into 2022-2023

The Heisman Trophy race in 2022 appears to start with a battle between Ohio State’s CJ Stroud and Alabama’s Bryce Young, and On3’s JD PicKell agrees. However, rather than go with the defending winner, he believes the race could turn out different this time around.

While breaking down the 2022 Heisman race on On3’s YouTube channel, J.D. PicKell recently provided his rationale behind choosing C.J. Stroud to become the favorite over Bryce Young.

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“The favorite in the clubhouse to me is C.J. Stroud, the Ohio State quarterback,” said PicKell. “And a lot of people are going to come at me and say, ‘Bryce Young,’ this that and the other. It is so hard to repeat. … But for C.J. Stroud, the firepower they have on offense is ridiculous. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, we saw what he did in the Rose Bowl a year ago. Marvin Harrison Jr, he’s probably going to put up big numbers – see what he did in the Rose Bowl as well if that’s a preview of things to come. They have a phenomenal run game.

“The thing that I’m looking for from him – determining factor if you will – is consistency. Because he put up video game numbers a year ago, 70-plus percent completion percentage, over 40 touchdowns, good ratio to interceptions, but consistency game to game is what I want to see from him. The Heisman Trophy voters, if you give them a reason to not vote for you, they’ll take it. We saw it last year, there were times where he looked like a first-year starter. And that’s ok, that’s allowed, but to win the Heisman Trophy you’ve got to bring it every single game. You can’t come out lackluster against Tulsa and you can’t have a slower start against Oregon. Need big numbers, need big performances.”

2022 Heisman Trophy odds

Vegas Insider recently updated their 2022 Heisman Odds. C.J. Stroud leads the way as the favorite at +200 with 2021’s winner not far behind in 2022.

Stroud is preparing to build on a phenomenal redshirt freshman season in Columbus. He finished Top 5 in the nation in passing yards, passing touchdowns, and QBR. His elite numbers along with Ohio State’s projected record will have him firmly in the mix all throughout the 2022 season.

While extremely rare, a repeat win for Bryce Young is not out of the question at +350. How difficult a feat it is is likely what’s holding Young back from being closer to the top spot. His stats from last season were phenomenal with second place finishes in yards, touchdowns and QBR in the NCAA.

On3’s James Fletcher III also contributed to this article.