Rob Issa, FISM News
C.J. Stroud made his case at Ohio State’s pro day to be the first player selected in next month’s NFL draft.
The talented quarterback has a higher priority than going No. 1 overall, however.
“I definitely want to, of course, accomplish that,” Stroud said about getting picked first. “But if not, I just want to go to whoever really loves me — not only as a football player, but as a man of God, and as a man of the community.”
GIVING THE GLORY TO GOD
When he sat down for an interview with NFL Network, Stroud began his first response to a question by saying: “First of all, I want to give all the glory and praise to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for the opportunity to go out here and show my God-given talent.”
Stroud’s strong Christian faith is a major part of who he is as a person and a leader. If the Carolina Panthers select him with the top pick, he’ll play for two men who have made it known throughout their lengthy careers that their foundation is built on Christ. Panthers coach Frank Reich, a former NFL quarterback, and quarterbacks coach Josh McCown, also a former NFL QB, are both devout Christians.
On Wednesday, they were among 12 Panthers staff members in attendance to watch Stroud at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center. It was a packed crowd filled with scouts, coaches, and front-office members from across the NFL.
Stroud and Alabama QB Bryce Young are expected to be the first two players selected. The Houston Texans own the second pick and also need a franchise quarterback.
“Definitely very personable, but it’s different when they’re trying to get you than when you get in that room, and then they start yelling at you,” Stroud said about his dinner meeting with the Panthers.
But I feel like they’re really honest people. … It’s going to be a process; I’m not going to come in and just be who I think I want to be right away. It’s going to take time. It’s going to take a lot of hard work. But with that coaching staff, I definitely, they can help me get to that point where I want to be definitely one of the best in the league, if not the best.
Stroud was a two-year starter at Ohio State. He completed 69.3% of his passes, threw for 85 touchdowns with 12 interceptions, was twice named Big Ten offensive player of the year, and was a two-time Heisman finalist.
Stroud impressed the Panthers and likely all the teams, including those with no chance of drafting him.
“Very likable. Really knows football. It’s not too big for him,” Panthers general manager Scott Fitterer said of Stroud. “He’s very comfortable being in that environment and being in command. We had a great two-and-a-half-hour dinner with him, really impressive off the field as he was on.”
TAKING THE QB TOUR
Stroud will get another chance to meet with the Panthers before the draft. The team is planning to attend Young’s pro day on Thursday before going to watch Kentucky QB Will Levis on Friday. Florida QB Anthony Richardson’s pro day is next Thursday.
“We’re all seeing the same thing at the same time, and we can go back and discuss (Thursday), and then we’ll get to see these first three quarterbacks back to back to back,” Fitterer said. “It’s a really good assessment of each guy, and we can talk about it. And at the end of this, we can sit down and kind of work through the hard decision-making process.
“You can never have enough information. You want to make the most informed decision. By doing that, you want to look at every option out there. Then you can feel really good that you’ve gone through the right process and your decision-making.”
Whether he ends up going first or second or wherever in the draft, Stroud is focused on achieving his goals.
“My job is to go out here and do as best I can against myself,” Stroud said. “I’m competing with myself every day to be the best version of myself, like (Buckeyes) coach (Ryan) Day always taught us to do. Whatever happens, happens. It’s not in my control, so I’m not gonna stress.”