Ryan Day praises CJ Stroud for playing for something bigger than himself
Ohio State quarterback CJ Stroud entered 2022 as one of the unquestioned best college football players in America and has done nothing to change that opinion six games later. But his head coach, Ryan Day, is far more impressed with the Stroud we don’t get to watch on TV.
The junior leads the nation in pass efficiency and had yet another stellar performance this past week, filleting the Michigan State secondary to the tune of 364 yards and six touchdowns while completing 80.8% of his passes. Day is more impressed by how Stroud is mindful of so much beyond himself.
“Yeah, I think you can see it. I think the players can see it,” Day said. “I think you can see his attitude on the sideline. He is not concerned about statistics. I think he understands that they’re going to happen and they’re going to come, but he’s focused on one thing and that’s winning and being a leader for his teammates. And when you truly play like that and just have an open heart, I think it carries over to your team.”
While he might not be focused it on that much, Stroud is piling up the stats. His total passing stat line at the halfway point: 113-of-160 passing for 1737 yards (70.6%), along with 24 touchdowns to three interceptions.
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Nationally, Stroud is among the best — if not the best — in any number of metrics and rankings. He’s No. 12 nationally in passing yards and completion percentage, and holds the top spot in yards per attempt, passing touchdowns and passing efficiency.
Day knows this sort of play from Stroud was inevitable, to a degree.
“And naturally, his stats are really good and naturally he’s playing at a high level, but that’s not what he’s focused on, I think. I think all the guys on the team have embraced that and certainly his leadership has been felt. They understand that there’s no expectations going in to a game, yet we hold each other to a high level. We want to play and be the best team in America, so I think that’s probably what you’re getting at, and it’s not just about him. It never has been, by the way. That’s just the way he is, the way he’s wired,” Day said. “And I think that’s the sign of a great leader.”