COLUMBUS, OH — With the 2022 Bowl Season officially over and the Georgia Bulldogs claiming their second consecutive national title, the quarterback that almost beat them is the name on everyone’s lips in CJ Stroud.
Stroud, a two-time Heisman finalist, and a projected top-five pick in the upcoming 2023 NFL Draft has not formally declared and has until Monday to either announce whether he is staying in Columbus or going to the NFL.
A 6’3 218-pound native of Inland Empire, CA, Stroud may have arguably cemented his place as QB1 in the upcoming 2023 NFL Draft thanks to a brilliant four-touchdown, 348-yard passing performance, that thanks to a missed potential game-winning field goal by Mike Ruggles, came up short in a 42-41 loss in the Peach Bowl CFP semifinal down in Atlanta. Despite the narrow loss, which will forever be remembered for the most egregious targeting non-call on WR Marvin Harrison Jr., Stroud could stand to be the first quarterback to hear his name called in Kansas City.
Therein lies the rub.
With the Chicago Bears owning the top overall pick and already having former Buckeye standout Justin Fields under center, the likelihood of QB-needy teams such as the Indianapolis Colts, Houston Texans, or Las Vegas Raiders. Whichever team is most likely–and willing to meet whatever terms Chicago wants for the No.1 pick, and possibly Stroud–will also have a choice to make between the aforementioned Stroud, 2021 Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young out of Alabama or Will Levis out of Kentucky.
While there are some concerns that Young looks like Kyler Murray 2.0, and Levis looks somewhat inconsistent due to shoddy playcalling at Kentucky, if Stroud is the top overall pick, then he runs the risk of trying to be the face of a rebuild for two franchises in either Indy or Houston and dealing with a messy, dysfunctional one in Las Vegas.
What if he stays?
If Stroud were to return to Columbus, he would have a chance to go down as arguably the greatest Buckeye quarterback ever, as well as a chance to avenge his loss to that Team Up North, and help Ohio State finally claim the program’s ninth national title. There are many other factors such as the rumored four million dollar NIL deal waiting for him, and a chance to rewrite the record books with Harrison Jr. and a top recruiting class.
As both the NFL and college football world await to formally hear from Stroud, two leagues await with abated breath on the word of a single man, who can change the direction of both.