Ryan Day explains CJ Stroud's evolution as a leader within Ohio State's offense

Ohio State is one of the overwhelming favorites to take home the national title this season alongside Alabama and reigning title-holder Georgia. Perhaps the main reason for all this hype is the return of Heisman finalist CJ Stroud, the Buckeyes’ starting quarterback.

The true junior is only in his third year at OSU, while some college football players are entering their fifth, sixth or seventh season. So he’s really not too much of a veteran. However, Buckeye coach Ryan Day sees tremendous growth from Stroud as a leader.

At a recent press conference, Day was asked about that room, and gave props to several guys before going more in-depth on Stroud.

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Ryan Day on CJ Stroud as a leader

“Well, I think we used to say, you know, you have to equate the room where, you know, you have in that room, you have Devin [Brown], you have Kyle [McCord], then you have CJ. And they’re all three different years and different levels of understanding of the offense. So it’s good to be all in there together sometimes.”

Occasionally, though, the OSU staff has to yank Stroud because he’s too far ahead of the other QBs.

“But then at sometimes it’s just good to pull CJ out. Because he’s very intelligent and kind of figure out how to, you know, keep growing with him and teach at his level while you don’t leave the other guys behind.”

Entering year three, Day says Stroud has extensive knowledge of the playbook and is able to be a valuable part of the play-calling operation.

“So yeah, it’s been good. You know, he can handle a lot of information. But it doesn’t necessarily mean you need to be really complicated either. But he can, he sees it well, he understands it, has really good suggestions. He has a good thought process. Getting to the point where, you know go into a drive and ask him what he thinks. Not that we’re always going to do that. But it’s always good to hear what he’s thinking and we have a lot of good back and forth.”

Ryan Day then finished his comments with an example of Stroud’s brilliant play-calling and the process behind establishing a play.

“I mean, we were in a scrimmage — that day was in the red zone, and he came over to me and said suggested a play. We did it and scored. And I think that’s when you’re starting to feel like that. And I think, that’s a part of play calling and being on the same page with the quarterback. Because when you’re in those meetings and you’re talking about these things. When that play is called, you know exactly why it’s been called. Because we’ve talked about it at meetings and so you’re on the same page. And I think that hopefully pays off again this year.”