Joel Klatt previewed how the race for the Heisman Trophy is going so far. C.J. Stroud is in the running and has Ohio State off to a 5-0 start.

Klatt put Stroud in the first tier of his Heisman list. Other players that were on the tier are Bryce Young and Caleb Williams.

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Stroud has amassed some solid numbers through the first five games of the season. Stroud has 1,376 yards passing with 18 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. He has been a huge part of the Ohio State offense the last couple of seasons.

“Buckeye fans, you’ve seen it week in and week out,” said Klatt. “Stroud is the cream of the crop right now in particular with the injury to Bryce Young. He’s the best quarterback right now in the nation, that’s the best offense in the nation.”

Another reason that Klatt likes Stroud is how he has handled the changes on offense.

TreVeyon Henderson has not gotten as many carries with the recent emergence of Miyan Williams in the backfield. Jaxon Smith-Njigba has also been out of the lineup with injuries, so Stroud has had to rely on other receivers.

“He’s had to deal with the fact that the running back that we felt like was going to get the bulk of the carries has not, in TreVeyon Henderson,” said Klatt. “He also hasn’t had his best offensive weapon in Jaxon Smith-Njigba. He’s doing this without his top skill position player.”