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Oregon coach Mario Cristobal praises CJ Stroud, says Ducks ‘really wanted’ him as a recruit
By Nick Schultz
Published:
CJ Stroud has big shoes to fill at Ohio State after Justin Fields graduated last season.
But could you imagine him in green and yellow? Oregon coach Mario Cristobal sure can. He recruited the Buckeyes’ starting quarterback out of high school.
Cristobal admitted that he “really wanted” Stroud during the recruiting process.
Mario Cristobal said Oregon “really wanted” C.J. Stroud as a recruit. “He can make every throw.”
— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) September 6, 2021
A 2020 graduate of Rancho Cucamonga High School in California, Stroud was a 4-star recruit on 247sports. He chose Ohio State over Georgia and Michigan, among others. Oregon made Stroud an offer, but he didn’t visit the campus.
After serving as Fields’ backup in 2020, Stroud went 13-for-22 for 294 yards and 4 touchdowns against Minnesota in Ohio State’s season opener this past weekend. There’s a lot to like about his game — just ask Cristobal.
“Poise, accuracy, can improvise, can make plays with his arm and with his feet,” Cristobal said. “He can make every throw, he’s really smart.”
"Poise, accuracy, can improvise, can make plays with his arm and with his feet. …He can make every throw, he's really smart." Cristobal on C.J. Stroud, who he recruited to come to Oregon out of high school.
— Griffin Strom (@GriffinStrom3) September 6, 2021
The Ducks and the Buckeyes face off on Sept. 11 at noon ET on FOX.
Nick Schultz is a columnist and breaking news writer for Saturday Tradition. A 2020 graduate of Loyola Chicago, he covered the Ramblers' 2018 Final Four run from beginning to end and has worked at NBC Sports Chicago. Follow Nick on Twitter @NickSchultz_7.