Fans select former Ohio State football player as Rookie of the Year

Former Ohio State football player C.J. Stroud was the second overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Personally, I thought he should have been the first pick over Bryce Young. What he showed in the Peach Bowl against Georgia was magical stuff. He looked like the best player on the entire field in that game, which ended up being a losing effort.

Instead, Stroud was taken second by the Houston Texans. He proved that he should have been the first pick with his play. Despite missing two games due to a concussion, he still threw for 4,108 yards, 23 touchdowns, and just 5 interceptions. He also ended up running for three touchdowns, which is not something he did with the Buckeyes.

Fans vote for ex-Ohio State football player C.J. Stroud as Rookie of the Year.

NFL fans saw how good Stroud was as a rookie and decided to name him the Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year. He becomes the second Buckeye to win the award after Nick Bosa. The award from the league will come tonight at 9 pm ET. Stroud is a heavy favorite to win Offensive Rooke of the Year after leading Houston to the playoffs.

Stroud bucked the narrative that Ohio State quarterbacks can’t succeed in the NFL. With this only being his first year, he should continue to be great as he gets more experience and more help around him. Once he starts to get better receivers, he is going to be throwing for at least 4,500 yards. He’s already a top-ten quarterback in the league.

As a Colts fan, it pains me to see Stroud succeed in Houston. As an Ohio State alum, I’m extremely happy to see what he’s already been able to accomplish. Perhaps he can actually win some big games now that he’s not under Ryan Day’s coaching. Heck, he already has made the Pro Bowl too.

Stroud could be a potential MVP one day if he keeps improving.