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Ohio State OC Kevin Wilson talks CJ Stroud’s ‘high ceiling,’ dual-threat ability
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There’s really nothing CJ Stroud has to prove as he embarks on his second season as the starting quarterback at Ohio State. As a first-time starter, Stroud was a Heisman Trophy finalist and led the Buckeyes to an 11-2 record.
Expectations entering the 2022 season are sky-high — and rightfully so. Last season, Stroud threw for 4,435 yards and 44 touchdowns with a 71.9% completion rate. Though he struggled early in the year (for an Ohio State quarterback), he bounced back after sitting out of the Buckeyes’ home game against Akron.
As high as those expectations are for Stroud in 2022, offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson believes the young quarterback is more than capable of surpassing the bar set for him.
“I think he’s got a much higher ceiling than you’ve seen,” Wilson said of Stroud, per Dan Hope of Eleven Warriors. “He’s an unbelievable talent.”
Stroud capped a brilliant first year with an unbelievable Rose Bowl performance, throwing for 573 yards and 6 touchdowns while completing 37-of-46 pass attempts. That outing will go down as one of the best in the history of the game.
If there’s been one slight knock on Stroud’s game, it’s his dual-threat ability. He’s not exactly as capable as JT Barrett or Justin Fields on the ground, but he’s certainly not a tree, either. Stroud has proven capable of escaping pressure.
But when it comes to running the football, that’s not going to be a key aspect of Stroud’s game.
“(He’s) a very adequate runner,” Wilson said of Stroud. “He’s not an elite running threat.”
Stroud ended the year with -20 yards on the ground and didn’t score a rushing touchdown all season in 2021. However, he did flash his ability on the ground in 2020, when he raced 48 yards to the end zone in Ohio State’s win over Michigan State.
While Stroud has the talent, it doesn’t sound like he’s going to be used the same way Barrett or Fields were in the rushing attack. Based on his passing numbers, that probably won’t be much of an issue.
Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB