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Scarlet Sunrise: C.J. Stroud finalist for NFL Rookie of the Year Award

IMG_7408by:Andy Backstrom•01/18/24•

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C.J. Stroud by Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Former Ohio State, and current Houston Texans, quarterback C.J. Stroud jogs off the field at NRG Stadium after defeating the Cleveland Browns, 45-14, in the Wild Card round of the NFL playoffs. (Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports)

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 finalist for NFL Rookie of the Year Award

In addition to the AP NFL Rookie of the Year — both offensive and defensive — the Pepsi Zero Sugar NFL Rookie of the Year is another award that will be revealed leading up to the Super Bowl in Las Vegas.

Former Ohio State star quarterback C.J. Stroud could earn both titles. This week, he was named a finalist for the Pepsi Zero Sugar NFL Rookie of the Year. He’s joined by five other first-year standouts: Miami Dolphins running back De’Von Achane, Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta, Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua and Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson.

Stroud, notably, is the only quarterback in the group, despite four signal callers being taken in the first 33 picks of last year’s NFL Draft.

Stroud, the highest-drafted quarterback in Buckeyes history, is amid a record-breaking rookie season. He piled up the third-most passing yards by a rookie all-time and became the fourth qualifying rookie quarterback with an NFL passer rating of at least 100.

Stroud did so while completing 63.9% of his passes and posting a 23:5 touchdown-to-interception ratio. Plus, he’s now the youngest quarterback to win an NFL playoff game after he piloted the Houston Texans to a 45-14 victory over the Cleveland Browns in the Wild Card round last weekend. Stroud entered the game at 22 years and 102 days old.

His biggest competition for both the Pepsi Zero Sugar NFL Rookie of the Year award — which is determined by fan voting, open until Feb. 2 — and the AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award is Rams wideout Puka Nacua.

Nacua had a similarly historic rookie season this year. Unlike Stroud, who was taken No. 2 overall by the Texans, Nacua was a draft sleeper. The Rams plucked the BYU product in the fifth round.

Nacua set NFL rookie records for receptions (105) and receiving yards (1,486) this season. Seven games with at least 100 receiving yards, including three with 150 or more, played a significant role. Nacua, like Stroud, showed out in his playoff debut. Although Nacua’s performance came in a postseason defeat, he logged the most receiving yards by an NFL rookie in a playoff game. Nacua caught nine of his 10 targets for 181 yards and two scores in the Rams’ dramatic, 24-23 loss to the Lions.

Both Stroud and Nacua will be in the spotlight as NFL award season ramps up. Stroud, a two-time Heisman Trophy finalist with Ohio State, is in good position to bring home some hardware.

Quick hitters from Ross Bjork introductory press conference

Ohio State introduced Ross Bjork as its next athletic director Wednesday in the Covelli Center. New university president Ted Carter, outgoing AD Gene Smith and, of course, Bjork spoke.

Lettermen Row was there and rounded up what all three of them said.

Bjork will take over for Smith on July 1, but he’ll start coming around Ohio State more at the beginning of March, at which point he’ll kickstart his process of learning under Smith.

Check out our quick hitters from the ceremonial day as Ohio State welcomed its ninth-ever AD.

RELATED

Setting the table for Buckeyes recruitment of Alabama transfer safety Caleb Downs

Ohio State was the runner up in the recruitment of five-star safety Caleb Downs last cycle. But Downs wound up choosing Alabama. That decision paid off immediately, as he earned a starting role, emerged as one of the best safeties — and certainly one of the best freshmen — in America while helping the Crimson Tide win the SEC and return to the College Football Playoff.

Now, he’s in the transfer portal following the retirement of legendary head coach Nick Saban. The Buckeyes will try to recruit him again, but they’ll be up against Georgia, which already hired former Alabama secondary coach Tavaris Robinson to its staff.

Lettermen Row set the table for Downs’ new recruitment and how the Buckeyes stack up. Get that analysis here.

ICYMI

Counting down

Buckeyes vs. Akron: 226 days
Buckeyes vs. Michigan: 317 days

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