Ohio State football: 3 major award candidates for the Buckeyes in 2022
By John Buhler
QB. Ohio State Buckeyes. player. 812. C.J. Stroud. 1. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis
C.J. Stroud was a Heisman Trophy finalist last season, so why not win it in 2022?
The best thing the Buckeyes have going for them this year is arguably their best quarterback draft prospect to date in C.J. Stroud. In his first year as the Ohio State starter, he had the Buckeyes on the cusp of getting back to the playoff, as well as making the trip to New York City for the Heisman Trophy ceremony. Though Alabama’s Bryce Young might repeat, Stroud could overtake him as well.
While Young has the best teammate in the country in Will Anderson, he stars on the other side of the football. Stroud is blessed to have a Doak Walker contender to hand the ball off to in TreVeyon Henderson, as well as Jaxon Smith-Njigba leading the way in the deepest receiving corps in the nation. Factor in his prototypical size, and Stroud could be the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Of course, we all gave this kind of praise to former Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Spencer Rattler this time a year ago, and look how that disaster turned out. However, Stroud is not expected to be challenged like Rattler was by Caleb Williams during their one year in Norman together. If Young does not repeat, look for Stroud to be the next Ohio State star to bring home the Heisman Trophy.
Should Stroud win the Heisman and lead Ohio State to a national title, he is going No. 1 overall.
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