Skip to main content

Ex Ohio State QB CJ Stroud Details His 'Tiger' Mentality for NFL: 'Just Go Kill'

Former Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback CJ Stroud is expecting simultaneous fear and respect from his opponents once he arrives to the NFL.

As he prepares for his NFL journey, former Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback CJ Stroud sat down with two-time Super Bowl champion and Buffalo Bills linebacker Von Miller to get some words of wisdom.

But while he certainly received that and then some while sitting in on Miller's podcast at Radio Row in Arizona as the NFL prepares for Super Bowl LVII, Stroud was the one talking like a grizzled vet as he detailed his mental preparation as a football player.

However, there was certainly a unique approach behind his fiery demeanor, as Stroud admitted that studying tigers went simultaneous with his love for the legendary Kobe Bryant in helping him as he gets set for the NFL Draft.

"My mentality bro is just to go kill," Stroud said to Miller. "It's just dominate. I'm a big fan of Kobe and often I researched like tigers and stuff just to see why they do what they do."

Stroud wants to command fear from his opponents on the field but respect when the clock hits zero. As a tiger would be in the jungle, Stroud has no shortage of expecting himself to be the dominant apex predator once the ball is kicked off.

"Just the total domination part of the football was what I love like when I walk on the field or if I walk off the field, I look the coach in his eye, and he says, 'I respect your game,'" Stroud said. "That's what I want."

Already expected to be at least a top-10 pick, Stroud could certainly impress a number of NFL general managers once pre-draft interviews begin, though that can't-miss passing ability might help his cause as well.


You can follow Zach Dimmitt on Twitter at @ZachDimmitt7

Be sure to stay locked into BuckeyesNow all the time!

Join the BuckeyesNow community!

Subscribe to the BuckeyesNow YouTube channel

Follow BuckeyesNow on Twitter: @BuckeyesNow_FN

Follow BuckeyesNow on Instagram: @BuckeyesNow_FN

Like and follow BuckeyesNow on Facebook!