Ohio State football: 3 Buckeyes that must step up to win Big Ten in 2021

1. C.J. Stroud

This one should have been pretty obvious. Quarterback is the most important position in football. Yes, it takes good skill players and a stout offensive line to make the signal-caller thrive, but if the man behind center isn’t on point, that can derail a team’s championship hopes.

The Buckeyes are replacing first round draft choice Justin Fields who was fantastic for the Buckeyes, getting them to the College Football Playoff twice in the two years he was behind center.

This year, the Buckeyes don’t have a player with a pass attempt in college. The last time that happened was back in 1952.

It is no secret that Ohio State has a loaded receiving core, with two potential first round draft picks in Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson. But they need a quarterback to get them the ball, and that will fall on the shoulders of C.J. Shroud.

Stroud was a four-star recruit, and the No. 4 player coming out of California in 2020. He was second on the depth chart last season behind Fields, and from all of the indications out of the Ohio State camp, is on track to start the season behind center for the Buckeyes though no official announcement has been made yet.

The Buckeyes will be putting a lot of weight on Shroud’s shoulders this season and only time will tell if he will be able to handle it. But the first step of having a successful offense is done, as Ohio State’s offense is littered with five-star talent all over the field.

Stroud is the missing piece to the 2021 offensive puzzle for the Buckeyes, they just have to figure out if he fits.

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