CJ Stroud discusses his Heisman battle with Hendon Hooker

With the final month of the regular season upon us, the race for the Heisman Trophy is coming down to the final stretch. Ohio State QB CJ Stroud is one of the players that’s leading the pack for the award but there are several other players on his heels. One of his greatest challengers in that conversation is Tennessee QB Hendon Hooker. However, Stroud isn’t concerned about the competition because of his focus on the Buckeye’s season as well as his respect for Hooker.

Stroud addressed the Heisman race during media on Wednesday. He said the award isn’t really on his mind at the moment considering Ohio State is focusing on a game with Indiana this weekend.

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“I don’t really look at stuff like that,” said Stroud. “But I think this is a week for us to kind of get our groove back on the ball…(I’m) looking forward to playing against Indiana this week.”

Per Vegas Insider, Stroud and Hooker are the favorites to win the Heisman Trophy. The Buckeye quarterback may have the weaker schedule, but there’s nothing frail about his numbers. After being a finalist for the award last season, Stroud is making another compelling case for it in 2022. He has 2,453 yards, 29 touchdowns, and only four interceptions through Ohio State’s undefeated season. As for Hooker, Tennessee has had a magical campaign with him at the center of it all. He has led them to several of the season’s biggest wins with 2,533 yards, 21 touchdowns, and just two picks.

While everyone is pitting them against one another, Stroud happily admitted that he holds Hooker in high regard. His play and Tennessee have more than earned his admiration even while both players, and maybe even both teams, may be on a collision course for the other.

“I think Hendon is a great quarterback. I’m actually a fan of his,” said Stroud. “Just what he’s been able to do this season and these past couple of years. I think he’s been very consistent. Kudos to him. I think he’s a great QB (on) a great Tennessee team who I think will eventually keep playing good ball.”

This season has featured plenty of Heisman candidates like Michigan’s Blake Corum, USC’s Caleb Williams, and Alabama’s Bryce Young. Still, if you were to poll those around college football about who’s leading the race, many would expect it to be a fairly tight race between Stroud and Hooker. Only one can join the Heisman House, though, as both will make the case to win membership in time for the ceremony on December 10th.