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Buckeyes quarterback C.J. Stroud declares for NFL Draft

Spencer-Holbrookby:Spencer Holbrook•01/16/23•

SpencerHolbrook

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(Photo by Ben Jackson/Getty Images)

COLUMBUS — Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud spent two seasons as the Buckeyes starting quarterback, setting records and becoming a two-time Heisman Trophy finalist.

Next on his list: to become the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft.

C.J. Stroud made his decision Monday, declaring for the draft after a historic two-year run in which he set new Buckeyes quarterback records and put up incredible numbers while going 21-4 as a starting quarterback.

“To Buckeye Nation, it’s been a helluva ride,” Stroud said in a statement on Twitter. “To the students, alumni, and all of THE Ohio State fans, thank you for welcoming a kid from Cali into the Buckeye family. This process has been difficult, and the decision, one of the hardest I’ve ever had to make. As a kid, I dreamed of playing football at the highest level and after much prayer, I’ve made the decision that it’s time to turn those dreams into a reality. With that said, I am declaring for 2023 NFL Draft. This ain’t goodbye…Buckeye For Life!”

The Ohio State signal caller finishes his career completing 69.3 percent of his passes for 3,688 passing yards, 85 touchdown passes and just 12 interceptions. He also had a rushing touchdown in his career.

Maybe Stroud’s most impressive moment of his career came in one of his four losses. He was magnificent against Georgia in the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Peach Bowl on New Year’s Eve, throwing for 348 yards and four touchdown passes against one of the best defenses in the country.

Stroud’s Ohio State legacy will be complicated to break down — even if it shouldn’t be. He led the Buckeyes to very high highs during his time as the starting quarterback, and his defense did him no favors in each of his four losses as a starter. But he is the quarterback, and he failed to beat Michigan in two tries.

What is the legacy of C.J. Stroud?

“Honestly, I don’t know,” C.J. Stroud said after the loss to Michigan in November. “People are going to say I never won The Game, and I understand. People are going to say I never won a Big Ten Championship, and I understand. So, I mean, when it comes to that, I just have to eat it, man. It’s life.

“Nothing’s ever been easy for me. I don’t expect it to get easy.”

It won’t get any easier for Stroud in the NFL, but he has the talent and tools to become a star at the next level.

That’s where he is heading. C.J. Stroud has officially declared for the NFL Draft, and now he can begin preparing to try becoming the No. 1 overall pick this spring.

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