What Ohio State QB CJ Stroud said after being named Heisman Trophy finalist

Ohio State quarterback CJ Stroud has had a season worthy of Heisman Trophy consideration. The sensational freshman has taken the nation by storm as he guided the Buckeyes to a 10-2 record in his first season at the helm.

The 6-foot-3, 215-pound Stroud was recently selected as the B1G’s Offensive Player of the Year, QB of the Year and Freshman of the Year, and chosen as one of 10 finalists for the Manning Award.

Stroud held his Heisman Trophy finalist press conference on Dec. 8 and touched on a variety of subjects. Here’s a sampling of what Stroud had to say:

C.J. Stroud on the Rose Bowl matchup with Utah: “Definitely not taking them lightly.”

— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) December 8, 2021

Stroud says he told Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave to “do what’s best for you” when it comes to deciding on whether or not to play in the Rose Bowl.

— Griffin Strom (@GriffinStrom3) December 8, 2021

C.J. Stroud on Quinn Ewers: “That’s still my brother, I still love him … I’m behind him 100 percent.”

— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) December 8, 2021

C.J. Stroud on getting to go back to Southern California to play in the Rose Bowl: “It’s definitely a blessing to get to play in this game. Of course it’s not where we want to be, but it’s where we’re at.”

Stroud said he went to some UCLA games at the Rose Bowl growing up.

— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) December 8, 2021

C.J. Stroud: “I don’t try to worry about accolades or awards, because if you’re doing that, you’re not really focusing on winning.”

— Griffin Strom (@GriffinStrom3) December 8, 2021

Stroud says he’s “super excited” for “my boy” Bryce Young, and is looking forward to meeting all the other Heisman finalists.

Stroud has had a relationship with the Alabama QB, another California native, for years.

— Griffin Strom (@GriffinStrom3) December 8, 2021

CJ Stroud says he has no regrets regarding Ohio State’s loss to Michigan. Says #Buckeyes put it all on the line.

Stroud says sometimes you just come up short, sometimes it’s just that simple. “We didn’t cut any corners.”

— Dustin Schutte (@SchutteCFB) December 8, 2021

CJ Stroud on being a Heisman Trophy finalist: “It’s really cool. It’s a blessing. … I never knew it would be this, honestly. I’m just truly blessed and blessed to be around these great people.

“I love my teammates to death. Without them, I wouldn’t be here.”

— Dustin Schutte (@SchutteCFB) December 8, 2021

CJ Stroud says a key for him was to play his game, not try to be like Justin Fields or Dwayne Haskins, while still learning from those guys

— Dustin Schutte (@SchutteCFB) December 8, 2021

CJ Stroud on negativity surrounding his performance in September: “I didn’t really care, honestly.”

— Dustin Schutte (@SchutteCFB) December 8, 2021

CJ Stroud on what Ohio State can improve on next season: “To get better next year, we need to get better at executing in the red zone, not settle for field goals.”

— Dustin Schutte (@SchutteCFB) December 8, 2021

CJ Stroud: “We lost two games this year. I don’t think either of those teams are better than us.

“But you have to show those teams respect because college football is about which team is the best on that day.”

— Dustin Schutte (@SchutteCFB) December 8, 2021

Stroud says “dudes were dropping out, missing practice” because of the flu before the Michigan game. “At the end of the day you got to do a job. We fell short.”

“I’ll play with one leg, I don’t really mind.”

— Griffin Strom (@GriffinStrom3) December 8, 2021

C.J. Stroud says “I’m not making excuses,” but that many of the Buckeyes having the flu for the Michigan game “kind of does matter.”

— Griffin Strom (@GriffinStrom3) December 8, 2021

Stroud amassed 3,862 yards, 38 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions in his first season as the starter at Ohio State. The redshirt freshman finished No. 7  in yards, No. 5 in touchdowns, and No. 2 in QB rating (182.2) nationally.

The highly decorated Stroud arrived at Ohio State as the No. 2 pro-style quarterback and the No. 42 overall recruit in the country for the class of 2020, according to the 247Sports Composite.

Ohio State will face Utah in the Rose Bowl on Jan. 1 (5 p.m. EST/ESPN).