Bryce Young, CJ Stroud: From middle school friends to sharing Heisman stage

Heisman Trophy finalist quarterbacks CJ Stroud of Ohio State and Bryce Young of Alabama share a history dating back to their adolescent days. The two young men have been facing off against each other since their middle school days in sunny California. And now, as freshmen, they find themselves as rivals yet again for the highest individual honor in college football.

During their Heisman interview, before the ceremony, the duo talked about their battles in middle school and their battle for the Heisman.

“Yeah, I think it’s a blessing to be two young Cali guys growing up in this football world together, learning from each other, playing against each other, playing with each other,” Stroud said. “It’s really cool to have a brother like this that’s doing the same thing I’m doing. We often FaceTime. We don’t even talk about football, we just talk about life. When you have a brother like that, it’s a great feeling, and I’m really proud of him, and I know he’s proud of me.”

Young had guided Alabama to another College Football Playoff berth. He and Stroud are sharing the spotlight in New York City tonight.

“Yeah, for us to kind of grow up together in the football world, for us to kind of grow, both of us, from us knowing each other at a young age to all we’ve been through and accomplished now, again, we’re always talking,” Young said. “We see each other — we’re proud of each other, always rooting for each other, and to have someone like C.J. to know we’ve always got each other’s back, to have a brother like that that we’re always locked in, and for it to culminate in a weekend like this is magical, so I’m super happy for this experience.”

The case for Stroud

On the season, Stroud has completed just shy of 71 percent of his passes for 3,862 yards, 38 touchdowns and five interceptions. He has four 400-yard passing days and eight 300-yard days. Stroud accounted for multiple touchdowns in all but two games.

With Stroud at the helm, Ohio State’s offense led the nation with 551.1 yards per game and 45.5 points per game. The Buckeyes also ranked top five with 364.9 passing yards per game. Ohio State went 10-2 on the season with a loss to Michigan in the final week of the regular season. The Buckeyes will take on Utah in the Rose Bowl on New Year’s Day.

The case for Young

Bryce Young follows in the footsteps of his former teammate Mac Jones, the 2020 O’Brien Award winner. The California native has led the Crimson Tide to a one-loss season with an SEC Championship title and a place in the Cotton Bowl.

Young has thrown 43 passing touchdowns this season, a number that ranks second in FBS. His 4,322 yards through the air are fourth in the nation and second in the SEC. Should he claim the Heisman Trophy, Young would be the first Alabama quarterback to do so.

One of Bryce Young’s most impressive performances to date came last Saturday versus then-No. 1 Georgia. The Bulldogs possessed a defense that held teams to 6.9 points per game, but Young threw for 421 yards and three touchdowns to win.