Scarlet Sunrise: C.J. Stroud says Justin Fields 'ain't no damn running back'

Good morning, Ohio State fans, and welcome to the Scarlet Sunrise. Football will always be our focus, but every day we’ll cover news, notes and analysis from across Buckeyes sports. Join us each morning to get caught up on everything you missed in the world of Buckeyes football, recruiting, basketball and more in Scarlet Sunrise.

C.J. Stroud says Justin Fields ‘ain’t no damn running back’

Former Ohio State quarterback, and current Chicago Bears starting signal caller, Justin Fields became the third quarterback in NFL history to rush for more than 1,000 yards in a season in 2022. His 1,143 yards on the ground were second all-time, behind Baltimore Ravens’ dual threat Lamar Jackson’s 1,206-yard campaign in 2019 that led to him earning MVP honors.

But as good as Fields has been running the football, he’s struggled through the air in the NFL. Although he posted an improved 17:11 touchdown-to-interception ratio in his final year at Ohio State, he completed just 60.4% of his pass attempts.

Fields’ hiccups in the pass game have prompted critics to call Fields a running back. C.J. Stroud, Fields’ backup at Ohio State and now a projected top-five pick, pushed back against that narrative.

“He ain’t no damn running back,” Stroud said Friday at the NFL Combine. “He’s a quarterback. He can sling that rock.”

Stroud added: “There’s so many times he got knocked back down, but I feel like a true measure of character is, when you get knocked down, how do you get up? And he’s got up every time, and he’s stepped up to the plate. And he hasn’t blamed anybody. He hasn’t point no fingers. As a human, that just shows you what type of man he is, and what type of family he comes from.”

Stroud was later asked about playing for the Bears, who have the No. 1 overall pick in this year’s NFL Draft but could trade out of that spot for more assets.

“I mean, no, I don’t want to go there,” Stroud said. “That’s his team. But I think I can do my thing. I gotta build my legacy. And he’s rooting, he texted me yesterday morning. Me and him are brothers for life.”

C.J. Stroud reflects on motivation, regrets, losses during Buckeyes career

Stroud was surrounded by media Friday morning at the NFL Combine. He was at the same podium as former Alabama quarterback Bryce Young, and he demanded the same kind of attention. After all, the duo is jockeying to be the top signal caller taken in this year’s draft.

Stroud confidently discussed what drives him to play, including his faith, and also candidly talked about his shortcomings at Ohio State, even admitting that he regrets not using his legs more in his Buckeyes career.

For the full story about what Stroud said, go here.

RELATED

• C.J. Stroud showing why he deserves to be top quarterback taken in NFL Draft

Jaxon Smith-Njigba wishes he was ‘more patient’ with initial hamstring injury

Former Buckeyes wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba met with the Ohio State media for the first time in months Friday morning at the NFL Combine. The projected first-round pick, who missed practically all of last season with a hamstring injury, said he wished he handled that setback different early in 2022.

“Definitely wish I would have just been more patient,” Smith-Njigba said. “But I’m a competitor, I wanted to be out there. Me myself, I didn’t know too much about hamstrings, never really dealt with one. So I wish I had more information. I wish I would have definitely dealt with it better.”

For the full story, go here.

RELATED

• Jaxon Smith-Njigba sees himself as top-five player in 2023 Draft

Counting down

Buckeyes vs. Indiana: 182 days

Buckeyes vs. Michigan: 266 days

Are you subscribed yet?

Are you ready to get all your latest Ohio State news in one place? Become a member of Lettermen Row today. With your Lettermen Row/On3+ membership, you’ll not only have access to the everything that’s happening with the Buckeyes, but you’ll also be able to peruse other fan sites within the network to hear just how rivals are feeling about Ohio State, as well. Make sure to follow along on Twitter, Instagram and on Youtube for all the latest Buckeyes news you need to know.