Urban Meyer points to historic Ohio State recruiting run when talking CJ Stroud Heisman candidacy

Former Ohio State coach Urban Meyer pointed to one specific thing that the Buckeyes have now while discussing CJ Stroud‘s Heisman chances. While speaking during a recent episode of Urban’s Take with Tim May, the former Buckeyes coach broke down that Heisman-winning candidates are typically surrounded by excellent players on the field — something that Ohio State has built around Stroud.

Urban Meyer breaks down Stroud’s Heisman chances

During their conversation, May brought up the upcoming Heisman battle that would likely feature Stroud and Alabama‘s Bryce Young and asked Meyer if it was a legitimate idea to name Stroud the favorite in the race this season. Meyer explained that the talent Ohio State has put together on the offensive side of the ball is something that the program has never had before, and compared it to his own coaching stint when they recruited multiple NFL-caliber defensive players.

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“Well, every great quarterback or Heisman candidate has one thing in common — great players around them. And you look at Ohio State, what Corey Dennis and Brian Hartline have done… I don’t think it’s ever been done before in Ohio State history.

“You know, it’s a little bit like when we had the defensive end run. Jalyn Holmes, Sam Hubbard, Tyquan Lewis and then [Joey] Bosa, [Nick] Bosa, Chase Young.

“What they’ve done in recruiting the quarterback position and the wide receiver position is uncharted waters. Brian Hartline, I count the guy who went to Alabama — Jameson Williams — he was a first-rounder. So we had three first-rounders leave the program last year and here you replace him with another center, first-rounders. The recruiting job, and then same with the quarterback position. What Corey Dennis, Brian, they have brought in. You know, I have followed Ohio State for the last 50 years. That’s never been done before, what they’re doing recruiting offensively. Ever.”

Meyer’s case for Stroud as a Heisman-hopeful this year makes a lot of sense with the context he places around it and there’s no question that Stroud is expected to have a phenomenal season. However, with Bryce Young defending his Heisman-winning performance last season and players like USC‘s Caleb Williams and Stroud’s teammate Jaxon Smith-Njigba in the conversation — Stroud will have his work cut out for him.