CJ Stroud reveals who inspired him to love football

Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback CJ Stroud shared the motivating factor in his football career on Saturday ahead of the Heisman ceremony.

“Me personally, it’s probably been my whole family,” Stroud said. “Growing up, sometimes it wasn’t the easiest things, but they were my motivation for me to get up at whatever time in the morning and go work out and go kill myself just so I can make it. Even in high school, I had that mindset just to make it out just so I can provide for my family. Yeah, my whole family is probably my biggest motivation.”

Although he lost the Heisman to Alabama’s Bryce Young, Stroud has a lot to look forward to after a breakout season in Columbus.

On the season, Stroud 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.

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.

CJ Stroud, Bryce Young share long history

Heisman Trophy finalist quarterbacks CJ Stroud of Ohio State and Bryce Young of Alabama share a history dating back to their adolescent days.

The two young men have been facing off against each other since their middle school days in sunny California. They found themselves as rivals yet again for the highest individual honor in college football.

During their Heisman interview, before the ceremony, the duo talked about their battles in middle school and their battle for the Heisman.

“Yeah, I think it’s a blessing to be two young Cali guys growing up in this football world together, learning from each other, playing against each other, playing with each other,” Stroud said. “It’s really cool to have a brother like this that’s doing the same thing I’m doing. We often FaceTime. We don’t even talk about football, we just talk about life. When you have a brother like that, it’s a great feeling, and I’m really proud of him, and I know he’s proud of me.”

Young has guided Alabama to another College Football Playoff berth and now also won the Heisman.

“Yeah, for us to kind of grow up together in the football world, for us to kind of grow, both of us, from us knowing each other at a young age to all we’ve been through and accomplished now, again, we’re always talking,” Young said. “We see each other — we’re proud of each other, always rooting for each other, and to have someone like C.J. to know we’ve always got each other’s back, to have a brother like that that we’re always locked in, and for it to culminate in a weekend like this is magical, so I’m super happy for this experience.”

On3’s Justin Rudolph contributed to this report.