CJ Stroud Scouting Report

Background

NAME: CJ Stroud

POSITION: QB

SCHOOL: Ohio State

HEIGHT: 6’2″

WEIGHT: 218

CLASS: 3SO

HOMETOWN: Rancho Cucamonga, CA

HIGH SCHOOL: Rancho Cucamonga

DOB: 10/3/2001

GAMES WATCHED: Michigan State, Notre Dame, Wisconsin, Rutgers

Career Stats

2020 (1 game): 1 carry for 48 yards (48 per carry) and 1 TD.
2021 (12 games): 317-441 passing (71.9%) for 4,435 yards, 44 TDs, and 6 INT; 32 carries for -20 yards (-0.6 per carry).
2022 (13 games): 258-389 passing (66.3%) for 3,688 yards, 41 TDs, and 6 INT; 47 carries for 108 yards (2.3 per carry).

Biography

Despite not starting until his junior season of high school at Rancho Cucamonga, CJ Stroud was highly touted recruit coming out of high school. He was a 4 star QB, the second ranked pro style QB and a varsity basketball standout. He was a top performer at the Elite 11 Finals, earning MVP honors. As a senior, Stroud threw for 3,878 yards and 49 TDs, eventually committing to the Buckeyes as the 71st highest rated recruit in Ohio State history. In 2021, Stroud lead Ohio State to the No. 1 national total offense (561.5 yards per game). Stroud was a finalist for the Heisman Trophy each of the last two seasons.

Trait Grades

Arm Talent: 70 (Star)
Accuracy: 70 (Star)
Out of Structure: 60 (Above Average)
Pocket Presence: 75 (Elite)
Decision Making: 70 (Star)
Mechanics: 70 (Star)
Touch/Placement: 70 (Star)
Progressions: 75 (Elite)
Mobility: 65 (Star)
Size/Frame: 70 (Star)
Red Flags: 10/10 – none
Ceiling: 75 (Elite)

Analysis

CJ Stroud is an a very good quarterback, with all the tools. Stroud’s built the way most NFL teams like QBs to be built: 6’2, 220-ish lbs. His arm is strong enough for a real deep ball, but he is better at putting the ball on a mark than zipping it into a super tight window. My big problem with CJ Stroud is his ability out of structure. I do not trust Stroud when he is being pressured or when he has to get on his horse and make something happen. In the pocket, however, Stroud is extremely accurate and has great decision making skills, it’s when his timing is thrown off that I worry about both the choices he makes with the ball and his accuracy. The Ohio State system is built so that Stroud can sit back and wait for timing routes and pick plays to get open. There is a benefit to this offense, however: Stroud has gotten extremely good at running through progressions in order to make these timing routes work. Stroud has to know if his throw is there before it develops otherwise he wouldn’t be able to run this Ohio State offense. Stroud’s ceiling is going to be high, but it will be interesting to see how a team can utilize him early on.