Joel Klatt gives argument against CJ Stroud's Heisman candidacy

One of the four finalists in New York with a shot at winning the Heisman Trophy is Ohio State quarterback CJ Stroud. Stroud, in his first season as Ohio State’s starting quarterback, led one of the top offenses across college football. Ohio State led the nation with 551.1 yards per game and 45.5 points per game. The Buckeyes were also top five with 364.9 passing yards per game.

For Stroud specifically, he had a strong season at the helm of Ohio State’s offense. He completed 70.9 percent of his passes for 3,862 yards, 38 touchdowns and five interceptions. Stroud had four 400-yard passing days and eight 300-yard days. He also accounted for multiple touchdowns in all but two games this season.

Despite his strong numbers, FOX Sports’ Joel Klatt isn’t sold on Stroud’s chances at truly contending for a Heisman win.

“CJ Stroud, let’s talk about the Ohio State quarterback,” Klatt started. “I really felt like, even in the face of that pressure that he was getting from Michigan, the dude played remarkably well even in a loss against the Wolverines on the road, in the snow in the cold weather. He was exceptional all year long. 70 percent completions, and this is a guy that’s throwing the ball down the field. This is not just dump offs and screens.”

Could Ohio State’s receiving core work against Stroud for the Heisman?

Klatt believes that the amount of talent on Ohio State’s offense might actually work against Stroud in Heisman voting. Ohio State has a talented receiving trio, arguably the top across college football. Klatt believes that the talented trio of Ohio State receivers could actually hurt Stroud’s Heisman case more than it could help him.

“Now while they do that, he’s throwing the ball down the field to Chris Olave and those great wide receivers. Four games of 400 or more passing yards and he would just be the third freshman to win the Heisman all-time. Now I think that CJ Stroud had a remarkable year, but part of the argument against CJ is that his wide receivers were so good,” Klatt said. “And yes, that is the case. He played with the, as a trio, the best core of wide receivers that we saw in college football. That doesn’t mean that he shouldn’t be in there, that doesn’t mean he shouldn’t win. That’s just an argument against him. But CJ Stroud, wonderful year for Ohio State.”

The winner of this year’s Heisman Trophy will be announced at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday night in New York.