CJ Stroud reveals which Heisman winners he looked up to during high school

As a kid, C.J. Stroud dreamed about winning the Heisman Trophy. Some of his biggest heroes were recipients of the award — players Stroud only hoped to emulate in their success.

Now, Stroud has a chance to join his heroes as a Heisman Trophy winner. Prior to finding out if his name is called on Saturday, the Ohio State star revealed which winners he looked up to in his youth.

“Once I really found out that I really loved football, I really was like, OK, this is crazy — people can really be the best player in college football. So, I watched the trophies be given out and I watched players that I look up to, like DeShaun Watson. I know he didn’t win one, but he was up here,” stated Stroud. “And I really looked up to him, Lamar, RGII — I actually got to talk to RGIII when I was getting recruited by Baylor. He had a lot of good things to say about winning the Heisman and things like that.

“Growing up, I was a basketball kid. I loved football, but I loved basketball more. I didn’t really realize that until I got to high school that I wanted to play football.”

Stroud picked some tremendous players to look towards, as Watson, Jackson and Griffin III were all program changers. The star recruit may have entered a well-oiled machine in Ohio State, but his play helped the Buckeyes to another tremendous season.

Stroud may have loved basketball, but he always excelled on the football field. After the Rose Bowl on January 1st, perhaps Buckeyes men’s basketball coach Chris Holtmann can bring him onto the court. Of course, if Ryan Day allows it.

C.J. Stroud reveals how close he is with Justin Fields

After looking up to quarterbacks who would go on to have NFL success, C.J. Stroud now has a relationship with one. Continuing, it’s his former teammate — Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields.

Not many schools have produced NFL-caliber quarterbacks better over the past few seasons than the Ohio State Buckeyes. Stroud certainly looks the part as well, being invited to New York City for the Heisman Trophy ceremony.

When speaking with the media on Friday, Stroud revealed he is still close with the former Buckeyes quarterback in Fields. He revealed the two have been keeping in touch and have talked for most of the season.

“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.”

C.J. Stroud has a chance to do something Fields wasn’t able to — win the Heisman Trophy. No matter the result, Ohio State is in good hands with him at the helm.