QB CJ Stroud, Ohio State
Why CJ Stroud Will Finish 2nd For The Heisman: Brilliant all year – but better and better as the season went on – Stroud was second in the nation in passing efficiency behind Coastal Carolina’s Grayson McCall, was third in yards per attempt, and was better statistically than Bryce Young in every way but touchdown passes, and that’s partly because he sat out the Akron game.
Yeah, Ohio State lost to Oregon – Stroud threw for 484 yards and three scores.
Yeah, Ohio State lost to Michigan – Stroud threw for 394 yards and two touchdowns.
On the year he connected on 71% of his passes for 3,862 yards and 38 touchdowns with just five picks.
Why CJ Stroud Won’t Finish 2nd For The Heisman: If you’re going to win the Heisman – especially at Ohio State – don’t lose the home game to Oregon, don’t lose to Michigan.
It wasn’t Stroud’s fault in either one, but that’s the deal for the Heisman. Did you come up with enough to get the big moment in the big game when everything mattered? He did, but the Buckeyes lost.
And then there’s the individual aspect to the Heisman. Is Young even the best player on his team? TreyVeyon Henderson might be the most talented running back in the country. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Garrett Wilson, and Chris Olave are NFL receivers, Jeremy Ruckert is an NFL tight end, and it all worked behind a line full of NFL prospects.
2021 Heisman Finalists
Bryce Young | Aidan Hutchinson
Kenny Pickett | CJ Stroud
2021 Heisman Trophy Prediction