CJ Stroud talks about how NIL has impacted him, Ohio State

Ohio State signal-caller C.J. Stroud is lucky enough to be one of college football’s most prominent superstars in one of its most prominent programs. Toss in the fact that he’s the preseason favorite to win the 2022 Heisman Trophy for many national media analysts, including On3’s J.D. PicKell, and you’ve got the perfect storm for plenty of NIL deals coming his way. The gifted quarterback recently spoke with the media about how much NIL has impacted his life thus far.

“Yeah, for me, it’s definitely been amazing and a blessing in my life for the future. I think it’s a jumpstart to be a businessman before you get to the NFL. Or if that is your path. So I mean, for me, I definitely try to keep the main thing the main thing. [When] my NIL deals come, I have a team I work with Athletes First with David Mulugheta and Bryan Burney, who’s my marketing agent. And they do a great job of just letting me pick and choose what I wanna do and what I don’t wanna do. And really other than that, it’s just football for me. So, I just keep the main thing the main thing. And when it’s time to be a businessman, I put that shirt on and do that,” Stroud said.

Then, Stroud discussed the difficult balancing act of juggling NIL with all of his football related duties. “It definitely is a balance. You do need rest. Like for me, sleeping is the key. So, I just try to rest a lot and then on top of that, just working out is hard on its own. So, you definitely just be prepared to do that and wake up the next day and do your responsibility with the NIL space. So, it definitely is tough, but at the end of the day, I mean, it’s what we asked for. You signed the contract. So, it means just being a man. You’ve gotta stand on your word and do it. But to me, it’s a blessing. I wouldn’t want it any other way. I definitely think, I feel bad for the older players that didn’t have the opportunity to…get money from this. Like Braxton Miller, Cardale Jones, Justin [Fields]. Just many dudes that came before me that I respect that should have made a killing. So, it’s just good now that players have control when it comes to our money,” Stroud said.

C.J. Stroud and the Ohio State Buckeyes kickoff their 2022-2023 campaign with a showdown against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on Saturday, Sept. 3rd. Kickoff for that one is slated for 7:30 PM EST on ABC.