C.J. Stroud sends message following disappointing Heisman Trophy finish

Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud had the chance to become the eighth player in Ohio State program history to win the Heisman Trophy, which would have broken the Buckeyes’ tie with Oklahoma — both programs have seven — for the most Heisman Trophies won by a single school.

Instead, what ensued for Stroud was a disappointing finish, at least in terms of Heisman Trophy voting results. He was certainly happy for Heisman winner Bryce Young, a close friend with whom Stroud grew up in SoCal, but Stroud finished last among finalists in Heisman Trophy voting. Stroud received 12 first place votes, 118 second place votes and 127 third place votes, good for a total of 399 points — just 74 more than fifth-place finisher Will Anderson.

Stroud sent a motivating message on Twitter after his fourth-place finish, saying “this is how villains are made.”

This is how villains are made #4thplace #humblebeast pic.twitter.com/vCHtdDOVkT

— C7 (@CJ7STROUD) December 19, 2021

Stroud was excellent in 2021, completing 70.9 percent of his passes for the Buckeyes, good for 3,862 passing yards, 38 touchdowns and just five interceptions, which all came despite missing a Week 4, 59-7 win over Akron. Stroud led the Ohio State Buckeyes to a 10-2 record, and though they lost to the rival Michigan Wolverines — Stroud in that contest completed 34 of his 49 passing attempts for 394 passing yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions — thus losing a chance to play for the Big Ten Championship, Ohio State still finished with a 10-2 record and No. 6 overall ranking. With the ranking, Ohio State finished high enough to play No. 11 Utah in the Rose Bowl, a game that Stroud, a California native, is thrilled to partake in.

CJ Stroud discusses making trip back home, playing in Rose Bowl

Stroud is a California native ready to return home for the Rose Bowl against Utah on New Year’s Day. As he prepares for the homecoming trip, Stroud took time to remember his childhood experience in the Los Angeles area.

“It’s a blessing, man,” Stroud said during his Heisman Trophy ceremony press conference. “I never really thought about playing in the Rose Bowl before, I always watched it on TV growing up. I never got to go, but I’ve been to UCLA games. So I’ve been in the stadium before. Being able to play at home is a blessing, I’m definitely going to take advantage of it.”

Stroud came to Ohio State as a four-star recruit from Rancho Cucamonga, California, located 40 miles east of Los Angeles. After spending his freshman season behind first-round draft pick Justin Fields, he has emerged as one of college football’s best starters as a sophomore.

CJ Stroud will lead Ohio State in its first Rose Bowl appearance since the 2018 season, when the Buckeyes beat the Washington Huskies. In the 2019 and 2020 Ohio State won the Big Ten but was selected for the College Football Playoff and participated in the Fiesta Bowl and Sugar Bowl.

On3’s James Fletcher contributed to this report.