Southern California Quarterback CJ Stroud Commits to Ohio State
Droppin' dimes out of Rancho Cucamonga, this 6'2" basketball player-turned quarterback will be slinging it for Ryan Day's currently unstoppable Ohio State offense. In the Ohio State system, Stroud will be asked to make point-guard like decisions as the potential leader of that offense, distributing the ball both horizontally and vertically, as well as counting the box nearly every play. He chose OSU after considering Georgia (visit in late November) and Michigan (visit on Dec. 7).
In addition to being absent from many 7 vs. 7 competitions in his region, Stroud didn't start for Rancho Cucamonga until his junior year. But he's turned around and beaten some of the premiere competition Southern California has to offer, including Long Beach Poly, Westlake and Justin Flowe's Upland Scots.
Stroud impressed many when he won the Elite 11 MVP, an honor that is shared by both Tua Tagovailoa and his future teammate Justin Fields. He combines an effortless and compact throwing motion with violent hips that allow him to place the ball anywhere he wants. His throwing mechanics are Anthony Gordon-esque, who has been praised by many as the purest passer in college today. Stroud also shows the ability to deliver an accurate ball outside the pocket, off schedule and on the run.