C.J. Stroud explains meaning behind honoring Dwayne Haskins in spring game

Dwayne Haskins was a special type of quarterback who put together a standout career at Ohio State – and that’s why the news of his tragic death has really affected his former Buckeyes teammates and coaches. That’s certainly the case for current Ohio State signal-caller C.J. Stroud, who had always looked up to Haskins and wanted to model the kind of quarterback he was.

As Haskins finished his Ohio State career with 5,396 passing yards, 54 touchdowns and nine interceptions, he left his mark on the program – and now Stroud is tasked with carrying on the tradition. While the Buckeyes held their annual Scarlet vs. Gray spring game on Saturday, the team – led by Stroud – honored Haskins.

While Ohio State put together a remembrance video full of Haskins’ career highlights and played it on the video board, Stroud – who wears jersey No. 7, just like Haskins did – decided to replace his nameplate with Haskins’ for the opening drive. He spoke about that with reporters following the game.

“I mean, I just wanted to honor his last moment in the ‘Shoe,” Stroud said. “I feel like that’s a big brother of mine, and I just wanted to honor him. It wasn’t nothing crazy to me. … I thought it would be important for him to go out the right way, so I’m glad his last play at the ‘Shoe was a touchdown. I’m excited for that.”

Stroud on Haskins: ‘He’s an inspiration’

In addition to discussing what it meant to be able to honor Dwayne Haskins during Saturday’s spring game, C.J. Stroud also shared what he was able to learn from the late quarterback – both on and off the field.

“He’s an inspiration,” Stroud said. “He always has been. I even watched him when he was in high school. I used to watch the Elite 11 documentaries all the time – he was one of those dudes on there, so I used to watch him in that, looked up his highlights after and went from there just studying his career. He was just a big-time player, big-time dude – not just on the field, both off as well.

“He inspired me being a black quarterback, as well. He expressed himself in many different ways, so I respect that. I just think he’s a great person. I definitely think Dwayne was a great human being – first and foremost – and he definitely left a legacy here.”

Haskins had most recently played for the Pittsburgh Steelers in the NFL and had been training with teammates in South Florida at the time of his tragic passing. He was 24 years old.