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CJ Stroud: Playing quarterback at Ohio State makes Heisman Trophy attainable

275133747_4796292347117549_592518599057046758_nby:Jonathan Wagner•12/11/21•

Jonathan Wagner

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Gregory Shamus via Getty Images.

Ohio State quarterback CJ Stroud is one of four finalists for this year’s Heisman Trophy. Stroud was the focal point of one of the best offensive attacks in the entire nation. In an interview in New York on Friday night, Stroud said that simply playing for Ohio State makes the Heisman a realistic and attainable goal.

On the season, Stroud has completed just shy of 71 percent of his passes for 3,862 yards, 38 touchdowns and five interceptions. He has four 400-yard passing days and eight 300-yard days. Stroud accounted for multiple touchdowns in all but two games.

“I wasn’t really focused on it,” Stroud said of the Heisman. “At the end of the day, if you play well enough and you’re at the school we’re at, I feel like it’s definitely attainable. People do it. So, I feel like at first, you have to put the work in. You can’t just go out there, it’s not that easy, you have to put the work in every week. You have to play well, you have to execute. Those are the things you have to do just to be considered.”

With Stroud at the helm, Ohio State’s offense led the nation with 551.1 yards per game and 45.5 points per game. The Buckeyes also ranked top five with 364.9 passing yards per game. Ohio State went 10-2 on the season with a loss to Michigan in the final week of the regular season. The Buckeyes will take on Utah in the Rose Bowl on New Year’s Day.

Stroud is one of four finalists for the Heisman Trophy, along with Alabama quarterback Bryce Young, Pittsburgh quarterback Kenny Pickett, and Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson. The Heisman winner will be announced at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday night.

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Stroud is the third Ohio State QB to be a Heisman finalist in the last four years

Ohio State has had some electric offenses over the years. By becoming a Heisman finalist this season, Stroud becomes the third Ohio State quarterback to do so since the 2018 season. In 2018 Dwayne Haskins was a finalist. In 2019, Justin Fields was.

Stroud still has a good relationship with Fields. Fields was Ohio State’s starter last season, and Stroud sat and learned behind him. The two still communicate to this day.

“Justin, I keep in touch with Justin a lot,” Stroud said. “I don’t really know if anybody else has. I know me and Justin have been in touch pretty much the whole season. He wishes me luck, I wish him luck, he offered me congratulations. Things like that.”