COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio State freshman quarterback C.J. Stroud earned a trio of Big Ten honors on Wednesday after the Buckeyes fell short of qualifying for the Big Ten title game. 

What You Need To Know

  • C.J. Stroud is the fourth-straight Buckeye QB to win the Big Ten’s Offensive Player of the Year award

  • Stroud led the No. 1 offense in the nation this year as a freshman

  • Stroud was surrounded with top talent, including receivers Chris Olave and Garrett Wislon who could be top prospects in the 2022 NFL Draft

  • The Buckeyes are likely to next play in the Rose Bowl

Stroud was named the Big Ten’s Offensive Player, Quarterback and Freshman of the Year. 

Stroud led the nation’s top offense with 551.4 yards per game and 45.5 points per game. His 3,862 passing yards ranks second in school history and his 38 touchdown passes rank third, according to OSU.

Stroud follows Dwayne Haskins and Justin Fields in ensuring that an Ohio State quarterback has won Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year for the fourth consecutive season. 

The Buckeyes had an opportunity to clinch a spot in the Big Ten title game and maintain a spot in the College Football Playoff heading into Saturday before falling to Michigan 42-27. Despite the loss, Stroud still had solid stats throwing for 394 yards by completing 34 of 49 passing attempts. 

With the College Football Playoff now an unlikely proposition, the Buckeyes are likely to earn an invitation to the Rose Bowl. 

Whether Stroud will have his full group of top wide receivers remains questionable as Chris Olave is set to go to the NFL next year. He could possibly be joined by junior Garrett Wilson who could be one of the top receiving prospects in next year’s NFL Draft if he declares early. Many top NFL prospects opt out of bowl games to prepare for the Draft.

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